Zero Carbon Humber project expands as eleven energy and industry companies form a consortium to develop a decarbonised industrial cluster.
The project – first announced in May 2019 – saw Drax, National Grid Ventures and Equinor sign a memorandum of understanding to explore how a large-scale carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) network could be paired with a hydrogen production facility.
Now, Centrica Storage, SSE Thermal, Uniper, Associated British Ports, Phillips 66, px Group, Saltend Cogeneration Company and VPI-Immingham have joined the trio on the project.
Zero Carbon Humber is to create the world’s first net zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040, located in the Humber region, with the potential to capture and store around 10% of UK carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Alongside the CCS as a standalone element, the project will also look at pairing the technology with bioenergy, as well as producing low carbon hydrogen from natural gas using CCS. The project will also examine future options of producing hydrogen through electrolysis.
Lord Haskins, chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, lauded the project as key to reducing the carbon emissions of the region, which is currently the UK’s highest emitting industrial cluster, as well as its ability to create “more new economic opportunities through clean growth”.
Zero Carbon Humber has now also been successful in its application for Phase One funding via the Industrial Strategy Fund.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Al Cook, executive vice president and UK country manager at Equinor, said: ” We believe CCS and hydrogen must play a significant role in decarbonising energy systems in the UK and globally, so we are pleased that the UK Government and UKRI have recognised the ambition and potential of these proposals.
“We are delighted to be working with such a broad group of skilled and experienced partners on a plan that will bring huge benefits for the economy of the Humber and the environment.”
