UK Government Commits £22 Billion to Carbon Capture Clusters in Merseyside and Teesside
Key Ideas
- The UK government has pledged £22 billion to develop carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teesside, creating thousands of jobs and supporting long-term growth.
- The funding will focus on capturing carbon emissions from hydrogen production, gas power, and energy from waste, aiming to help the UK meet its climate goals.
- This investment is seen as crucial for industry confidence and attracting private investment, with the first carbon dioxide storage expected to begin in 2028.
- While welcomed by businesses and climate advisors, Greenpeace criticized the reliance on hydrogen from gas, warning against locking into non-optimal solutions.
The UK government has announced a significant commitment of nearly £22 billion to develop carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teesside over the next 25 years. This initiative aims to capture and store carbon emissions from various sources, including hydrogen production, gas power, and energy from waste. By supporting the development of these clusters and necessary infrastructure, the funding is expected to create thousands of jobs, attract private investment, and assist in achieving the country's climate goals.
Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technology plays a crucial role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and is particularly important for the production of 'blue' hydrogen, where carbon emissions are captured and stored to make it low-carbon. Despite being a well-tested technology, progress on CCUS in the UK has been limited until this recent funding commitment.
The investment is focused on subsidizing projects in Teesside and Merseyside, with plans to remove 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually once operations begin. Additionally, the funding will support the development of transport and storage networks to carry captured carbon to deep geological storage locations. The government expects this initiative to not only create immediate jobs but also support long-term employment opportunities and industry growth in the regions.
While the move has been welcomed by industry stakeholders and climate advisors, Greenpeace has raised concerns about the reliance on hydrogen from gas, cautioning against potentially suboptimal solutions. The commitment to CCUS technology has been lauded for its potential to unlock investments, create jobs, and drive clean energy innovation in historically industrial regions.
Topics
Blue Hydrogen
Clean Energy
Infrastructure
Technology
Investment
Job Creation
Private Sector
Climate Goals
Industry
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