The North East of England is rapidly becoming the focal point of the UK’s clean energy transition. With major carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) projects now moving into construction, the region is set to transform from a historic industrial hub into a centre of decarbonisation excellence. Paul Maddern explains how Ex instrumentation, specifically ATEX pressure switches, will be essential to delivering this new generation of CCUS infrastructure.
The North East’s carbon capture transformation
The UK’s first full scale carbon capture projects located in Teesside, were ready for construction from mid 2025. These developments form part of the East Coast Cluster, a strategic programme designed to decarbonise two of the UK’s most emissions intensive regions: Teesside and the Humber. Collectively, these industrial areas account for around 50% of the UK’s industrial CO₂ emissions.
Central to the delivery of this cluster is the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP). Led by bp, Equinor and TotalEnergies, NEP is developing the COâ‚‚ transportation and offshore storage infrastructure that will underpin all connected carbon capture sites. Once operational, NEP infrastructure is expected to move captured COâ‚‚ through compression facilities and a 145 km offshore pipeline for permanent storage beneath the North Sea, with access to up to 1 billion tonnes of COâ‚‚ storage capacity.
How carbon capture works
Carbon capture technologies prevent COâ‚‚ emissions from entering the atmosphere by isolating, compressing and transporting carbon for long term storage. Instead of venting flue gases to the environment, a standard practice since the Industrial Revolution, COâ‚‚ is separated through specialised equipment before being handled as a pressurised process stream.
From here, the gas is routed to compression stations and into largescale pipelines. In the case of the East Coast Cluster, CO₂ will be transported for injection into the Endurance saline aquifer, located over 1,000 metres below the seabed. This geological formation can permanently contain vast volumes of carbon, making it a key asset in meeting the UK’s target of storing 20–30 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2030.
Where ATEX pressure switches play their role in carbon capture
Although final specifications for individual sites have yet to be confirmed, carbon capture installations typically require a wide range of instrumentation to maintain process safety and operational reliability. Across the capture, compression, transport and storage stages, ATEX pressure switches play a vital role in:
1. Monitoring high pressure COâ‚‚ handling equipment
Compressors, dehydration units, and pipeline injection systems all operate under demanding pressure conditions. Reliable pressure switching ensures early detection of abnormal pressures, enabling safe shutdown procedures and protecting equipment integrity.
2. Explosion prevention in hazardous areas
Many CCUS facilities, particularly those repurposing oil and gas infrastructure, operate within hazardous areas where explosive atmospheres are present. Pyropress explosion proof pressure switches are ATEX and IECEx certified, meaning they will not be the source of ignition.
3. Protecting COâ‚‚ transport pipelines
Pipeline networks transporting COâ‚‚ over long distances require continuous monitoring. Pressure switches help maintain stable pipeline operation and protect against overpressure events that could compromise system safety.
4. Supporting reliability in remote and offshore locations
The North East Cluster includes offshore injection sites for example, where equipment must withstand harsh marine environments and long maintenance intervals. The rugged, corrosion resistant construction of Pyropress instrumentation aligns with these requirements.
As carbon capture projects across the North East accelerate, the demand for reliable, Ex instrumentation will only intensify. For Pyropress, the opportunity is clear: ATEX/ IECEx switches and transmitters are poised to play a vital role in ensuring these types of facilities operate safely and effectively. And with the region’s CCUS footprint set for exponential growth, this is only the beginning.
About the Author
Paul Maddern is an explosion protection instrumentation expert and has been part of the Pyropress team for 35 years. Pyropress is a Pioneer Safety Group brand designing and manufacturing high-quality instrumentation, specialising in explosion proof and intrinsically safe pressure switches. Pyropress’ expertise ensures safety and efficiency in oil and gas applications.
