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  • Carbon capture for utilisation or storage using direct capture/physical separation methods

Carbon capture for utilisation or storage using direct capture/physical separation methods

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This activity applies to any activity carried on in a technical unit for the capture of carbon dioxide for the purposes of utilisation or storage using direct capture/physical separation methods.

“Any activity carried on in a technical unit for the capture of carbon dioxide for the purposes of utilisation or storage” is a new regulated activity made law in the Environment Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR). This activity has a ‘sunrise date’ of 1 April 2027; this means that it will not be regulated by SEPA until this date. More information on how and when to apply will be provided prior to the new activity being regulated.

This activity is found in Schedule 26 Part 3 Paragraph 68 of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations. 

Authorisation level

Registration

Fit and Proper Person tests

Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.  

Read more about Fit and Proper Person tests

Standard conditions

Your registration application will only be granted if you can confirm you are able to comply with the standard conditions set out below.

If you carry on an activity under a registration authorisation you must comply with the standard conditions. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.

  1. All releases to the air from the authorised activities, other than condensed water vapour, during normal operation must be free from visible emissions.
  2. Carbon must be captured using either:
    1. direct capture; or
    2. physical separation mechanisms.
  3. Chemicals must not be used as absorbents in the carbon capture process.
  4. The carbon dioxide (CO2) produced must be manufactured to a standard that ensures it can be re-used.
  5. The minimum rate of carbon capture must be 80%.
  6. The incoming gas stream to the capture process must not contain contaminants or impurities which could cause environmental harm.
  7. Measures must be taken to prevent, or where that is not practicable, minimise venting of carbon dioxide.
  8. The volume of carbon stored at the Authorised Place must not exceed 150 tonnes.
  9. Measures must be taken to ensure that fugitive emissions and leaks of carbon dioxide are minimised.
  10. Measures must be taken to prevent, or where that is not practicable, minimise heat emissions from the authorised activities.
  11. SEPA must be notified via its pollution hotline contact telephone number as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours of identification of an event, of any of the following:
    1. an event that has caused or could cause adverse impact to the environment or harm to human health;
    2. an event that results, or could result, in an emission to the environment that is not authorised; and
    3. an event that has caused a breach of a condition of this authorisation.

    In this condition, the meaning of ‘event’ is as defined in the Glossary of Terms.

  12. All measures that are reasonably practicable must be taken to stop an event and to minimise its effect on the environment.
  13. Within 14 days of an event a report must be submitted to SEPA detailing:
    1. the reason(s) for the event;
    2. the action(s) taken to stop the event and minimise the impacts; and
    3. the action(s) taken to prevent the event from reoccurring.
  14. All information recorded, kept or submitted to SEPA in accordance with a condition of this authorisation, must be:
    1. true and accurate;
    2. kept for a minimum of six years; and
    3. provided to SEPA upon request.

Fees and charges

An application fee applies to the application for a new authorisation for this activity.

Read our charging information for further information on annual activity fees.

Information on the application fees to transfer, vary or surrender a registration that authorises this activity, is in our charging information. 

How to apply

It is not possible to apply for this activity at this time.

The new digital application service for this activity will be launched in December 2026. Information on how to apply for this activity will be shared here ahead of the launch.

Help and guidance

Activity specific guidance is not currently available. It will be published here by 1 December 2026 ahead of applicants being able to apply for this regulated activity.

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