Carbon capture project gets government boost
HyNet North West is one of two projects that are eligible to take a share of the government’s £1bn CCS Infrastructure Fund to support carbon capture, usage and storage.
Greg Hands, minister of state for energy, clean growth and climate change, announced on 19 October that the government was giving two CCUS schemes “track one” status, which means the projects are lined up to take part of the £1bn fund if they pass a review process to determine the value for money they offer to the consumer and taxpayer.
Securing the government’s financial support would mean that HyNet could begin its decarbonising efforts in the North West and North Wales as early as 2025.
HyNet plans to decarbonise the regions’ industrial sector by producing low-carbon hydrogen power that can replace fossil fuels. In addition to generating hydrogen power, it will also be able to both capture and store carbon created by industrial sectors. The stored carbon will sit in depleted oil and gas reservoirs under the seabed, according to HyNet.
If it meets its goals, HyNet will be able to deliver 80% of the UK’s hydrogen 2030 target by reducing annual carbon emissions by 10m tonnes.
The other project chosen by the government is the Teesside-based East Coast Clusters scheme.
The community reacts
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council
“On behalf of the Council and our partners I’d like to congratulate the HyNet team, this is a major element of the plans to see Ellesmere Port as a national and international exemplar for the ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ and to drive forward the new low carbon economy of the future.
“We declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, following consultation with residents pledging to make the Council carbon neutral by 2030 and the borough carbon neutral by 2045. Today’s announcement is a giant stride towards this.”
Clare Hayward MBE, DL, Chair, Cheshire and Warrington LEP
“We are absolutely delighted by today’s announcement that HyNet North West low carbon and energy project will be one of the first two to be delivered in the UK.
“We have ambitious targets to reach net zero and make Cheshire and Warrington a world leader in low carbon technologies and innovation and this is a huge step forward for the decarbonisation of our region.
“The North West and North Wales is a region which has the largest number of people employed in manufacturing in the UK and has the skills base to drive the hydrogen economy and help us to create the green jobs for the future.
“HyNet is a result of a great partnership with all of the stakeholders involved from across the region. We look forward to working together to put our ambitions into action.”
Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram
“Today’s decision is a massive show of confidence from government that the North can lead the country’s transition to net zero – with our region front and centre.
“I’ve been a longstanding and passionate advocate of HyNet, for its revolutionary approach to clean, green energy, and for its capacity to protect and create thousands of high-skilled, high-paid jobs across the region. And it is the Liverpool City Region that is at the heart of HyNet, from pioneering trials of new technology in St Helens and the Wirral, to carbon storage in Liverpool Bay.
“When it is up and running in 2025, it will provide a huge boost to our economy and our ambitious net zero targets. This project alone will reduce the region’s carbon emissions by 10m tonnes each and every year by 2030. It could also generate up to £31bn for the UK and will single-handedly deliver 80% of the UK’s clean power targets by the end of the decade.
“It is my ambition for our region to be at the forefront of the green industrial revolution, leading the charge towards net zero, and taking advantage of the myriad of jobs, investment and opportunities that it provides. From our existing strengths in wind and solar power, to revolutionary new projects like HyNet and our Mersey Tidal Power scheme, our region has the potential to be Britain’s Renewable Energy Coast – with local people benefiting from the employment and training opportunities that go with it.”
Ged Barlow, Chief Executive of Net Zero North West
“HyNet is vitally important not just to the decarbonisation of the North West but to the whole of the UK, so we wholeheartedly welcome the government’s decision to back the project as a track 1 cluster.
“This announcement shows how the North West is uniquely positioned to help drive the UK’s transition to net zero. As our recent Net Zero North West manifesto made clear, we are not just talking about the opportunity we have a clear plan for how we can be the UK’s first net zero region. With an unrivalled mix of low carbon energy projects already happening we have all the ingredients to underpin a long term, resilient net zero energy system in the UK.”
Professor Joe Howe, chair of North West Hydrogen Alliance and executive director of the Thornton Research Institute at the University of Chester
“It’s incredible news that HyNet in the North West of England has been confirmed as a track one carbon capture cluster by the government. The region not only has one of the lowest cost and deliverable carbon capture solutions, but has made significant progress in developing plans for a full hydrogen system to generate, store and distribute hydrogen to our job-creating companies in our industrial heartland.
“The government’s decision will drive essential investment to deliver carbon capture facilities in the region – a key component of unleashing the hydrogen economy in the region and the UK. It is just the moment we have all been waiting for and, crucially, will keep up the pace to bring the first stages of the HyNet project to fruition by the mid-2020s.
“With COP26 on the horizon and the spotlight on practical steps to reach net zero carbon emissions, this is excellent progress. It will provide long-term confidence to big employers in the region and investors that, as well as the North West being a leading force in the Green Industrial Revolution, hydrogen as a clean source of power and fuel can and will be delivered at a mass scale sooner rather than later.”
- Want to learn more about sustainability in the built environment? Listen to Place North West‘s COP26 podcast series.
Great news ……well done to north west business leadership team who played a key role pulling this together
By George
What is it? Where is it?
More Cheshire than Liverpool City Region I would say. Nice try, Steve
By Don't Rother Me
IN THE LCR.
By Anonymous
Main bits are in Cheshire actually (Ellesmere Port and Nantwich salt mines). LCR aren’t that interested, other than Stevie they’re waiting-and-seeing. Suppose they might jump now there’s poss gov cash around
By Don't Rother Yourself