UK Commits Nearly £22B for Carbon Capture, Hydrogen Projects in Teesside and Merseyside
Key Ideas
- The UK government has allocated £21.7 billion for two major CCUS clusters and hydrogen projects in Teesside and Merseyside over the next 25 years.
- The funding aims to drive private investment of around £8 billion, create 4,000 direct jobs, and support 50,000 long-term jobs in the North West and North East of England.
- By focusing on carbon capture and hydrogen production, the projects are expected to cut over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, reshaping the energy sector towards sustainability.
- Partnerships with private investors and companies like Eni emphasize collaboration to accelerate decarbonization and establish the UK as a global leader in clean energy technology.
The UK government has committed £21.7 billion to establish two major carbon capture and storage (CCUS) clusters in Teesside and Merseyside, along with hydrogen production facilities, to propel the country towards becoming a global leader in CCUS and hydrogen technology. This move is part of the UK's efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The funding is projected to attract approximately £8 billion in private investment, create 4,000 direct jobs, and support 50,000 long-term jobs, boosting the economies of the North West and North East of England. The projects will focus on cutting over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually through carbon capture and hydrogen production enabled by CCUS technologies. The UK government aims to reshape the energy sector by capturing CO2 emissions and storing them beneath the seabed, contributing to decarbonizing heavy industries like cement and steel production.
The government's commitment to this groundbreaking technology for the next 25 years aims to deliver economic growth, job creation, and a significant impact on the country's industrial heartlands. By partnering with private investors, including companies like Eni, the UK seeks to accelerate innovation in clean energy technology and drive long-term economic stability. Eni, an Italian energy giant, views CCS as a crucial component in the energy transition and has been awarded an agreement for lease by The Crown Estate to repurpose infrastructure for CO2 transportation and storage. This collaborative effort between governments and industry players highlights the importance of pragmatic and effective industrial policies for accelerating decarbonization and achieving Net Zero goals.