NOF, the business development specialist for the energy sector, has signed a new strategic partnership with 8 Rivers Capital and Sembcorp Energy UK, to support the development of the UK’s first Net Zero emissions power plant on Teesside.
Whitetail Clean Energy (Whitetail), a 300MW plant, could be commissioned as soon as 2025 at Sembcorp Energy UK’s site at Wilton International. The US clean energy innovation firm 8 Rivers Capital LLC is developing the project through its UK subsidiary Zero Degrees Whitetail Development Ltd (ZDW) in collaboration with Sembcorp Energy UK (SEUK), part of Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries.
The project will see a process pioneered by NET Power and 8 Rivers Capital harnessed. The NET Power process combusts natural gas with oxygen, rather than air, and uses supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid to drive a turbine instead of steam. As a result, near all air emissions, including traditional pollutants and CO2, are eliminated and pipeline quality CO2 is produced so that it can be captured and stored offshore, enabling Whitetail to become a Net Zero emissions plant.
The project has the potential to create more than 2,000 jobs during construction, and 200 indirect and direct highly skilled jobs during operation, and this new strategic partnership will assist with the creation of a highly skilled supply chain to support the delivery and operation of the facility.
NOF has a portfolio of 26 strategic partners, made up of operators, developers and tier one contractors from across the energy sector. The Durham-based organisation works closely with its strategic partners to give them access to its membership base, which contains innovative, technology-led supply chain companies. This will include a series of events to share knowledge between NOF members and the Whitetail project, and to highlight the supply chain opportunities the development of the power station will generate.
The partnership also demonstrates NOF’s commitment to supporting the UK’s energy transition, particularly assisting supply chain companies in diversifying from traditional markets, such as oil and gas, into clean and renewable energy sectors.
Joanne Leng MBE, deputy chief executive of NOF, said: “We are really pleased to be able to announce this partnership with 8 Rivers Capital and Sembcorp Energy UK to support the development of the Whitetail Clean Energy power plant. The project further emphasises the role the UK, and in particular North East England, is playing in the introduction of low carbon energy production.
“It also provides important supply chain opportunities for UK companies that have skills, products and services that can be applied to this project and continue the ongoing diversification of the energy sector supply chain.”
Andy Koss, CEO of UK and Middle East, Sembcorp Industries, said: “We are really keen to use local partners to support Whitetail’s supply chain, so we’re delighted to be collaborating with NOF. We are committed to reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector to create a greener future, and we are keen to engage with others that can contribute to the UK’s move towards a low-carbon economy. Working with NOF, Whitetail Clean Energy will benefit from the organisation’s extensive network and market expertise, in support of the development of this first-of-a-kind carbon capture technology on Teesside.”
Cam Hosie, chief executive of 8 Rivers Capital, added: “NOF is the ideal supply chain development partner for the Whitetail Clean Energy project, and we want to build a long-term relationship with the organisation and its members who could have the opportunity to be part of the first net zero power plant in the UK.”
