PROJECT management and services company Amec has won a contract to create a revolutionary carbon dioxide network, which could help reduce UK emissions by millions of tonnes a year.

The network would be based in Yorkshire and Humber, and would become part of a regional carbon capture and storage network, connecting a number of fixed point sources, such as large power stations, to suitable storage sites.

Work will be carried out from the firm's base in Darlington, which houses the headquarters of its engineering division, and could provide the potential to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 60 million tonnes a year.

The project is due to be completed next October.

The contract was awarded by the local regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward. Financial support is being provided by BP, ConocoPhillips, Drax Power, E.ON, Powerfuels, Scottish and Southern and Shell.

Neil Wem, director of renewable and green energy for Amec UK Industrial, said: "The study builds upon Amec's work in support of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association's technical committees, and reflects our strategy to become the leading provider of consultancy, engineering and project management services to the UK's energy infrastructure as it develops to meet our future energy demands."