Current Project Status

The Environmental Agency (EA) is in the process of reviewing our application for a permit to conduct a small-scale trial. Planetary will follow the guidelines from the EA, and future steps and timing will be determined based on EA requirements as well as input and guidance from the local community.

A timeline of this project’s past steps is included below.

An updated overview of our company and our activities in Cornwall (as of November 2023) is available on our blog.

View overview

Most Recent Update

On February 12, 2024, The Environment Agency published an independent report produced by Water Research Centre (WRc) regarding Planetary’s proposed ocean alkalinity enhancement trial in Cornwall.

This report finds Planetary’s process has the potential for “significant net carbon removal” and our proposed trial represents a “very low” risk to marine organisms.

A summary of the report and the full report are both available on the EA website. Planetary’s key takeaways from the report and some FAQs generated by our team are available here, and our full statement is available on our blog.

Planetary will now amend our project plan and application to accommodate the recommendations of the WRc report, and the EA will consider our new application alongside the WRc report to decide whether to grant an LEP to Planetary and South West Water.

Project Timeline

June 2022
July 2022
September 2022
October 2022
December 2022
February 2023
March 2023
May 2023
August 2023
February 2024
June 2022

Completion of in-lab and large scale “swimming pool” experimental program.

July 2022

Completion of the Westward OH2 GGR Project, funded by the UK Government. Report available here.

September 2022

Initial systems and methods test in Cornwall, with approval of the Environment Agency.

October 2022

Outreach to governmental and environmental groups in Cornwall for engagement on plan development.

December 2022

Provisional approval of this study granted by a local regulator, with a recommendation to supply more information on:

  • Environmental impact
  • Detailed project life cycle analysis (carbon footprint)
  • Risk assessment related to material handling
  • Community engagement
February 2023

Version 2.0 of the Planetary MRV Framework published, incorporating data from early trials and community feedback.

March 2023

Public information sessions and dialogue with the community held in Hayle, Truro, and online establishing engagement with community and conservation groups. These sessions included both one-on-one meetings with individuals and group discussions. We welcome direct conversations with members of the public – please contact us at Cornwall_project@planetarytech.com.

May 2023

Pre-study biological surveys completed, data from which will be published when available. Ongoing community engagement, which will continue indefinitely and throughout all project stages.

August 2023

The Environment Agency works with the Water Research Centre (WRC) to independently evaluate Planetary’s project proposal.

February 2024

The Environment Agency published an independent report produced by Water Research Centre (WRc) regarding Planetary’s proposed ocean alkalinity enhancement trial in Cornwall. The following are now available: