Acorn is a CO₂ transport and storage system that reuses existing oil and gas infrastructure to move captured CO₂ from the Scottish Cluster to secure, permanent geological storage around 2.5 kilometres beneath the North Sea.
The Acorn stores are connected to the Scottish mainland through established pipeline infrastructure. Repurposing these assets helps reduce delivery risk and cost, while maximising the value of existing national infrastructure and supporting a more resilient industrial system.
At peak operation, these pipelines have the potential to transport up to 20 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, providing the scale required to support major industrial activity over the long term.
Industries in Scotland’s Central Belt will access the Acorn storage sites through the National Gas SCO₂T Connect project, which repurposes an existing onshore gas pipeline. This creates a strategic link between key industrial centres and CO₂ storage, helping safeguard industrial capability and employment.
Acorn’s reach also extends beyond Scotland. The potential to use non-pipeline
transport, including shipping, opens up opportunities for industries elsewhere in the UK - and potentially internationally - to access secure CO₂ storage. This flexibility positions Acorn as a nationally significant asset that can support industrial growth, competitiveness and energy system resilience over time.
