The government has given the green light and conformed the private sector investment for North West hydrogen and carbon capture cluster, HyNet.
The project aims to allow large-scale industrial businesses in the region to decarbonise, re-industrialise the region, and compete in international low-carbon markets and attract new green industries to the UK. Delivering HyNet will secure £5 billion of private sector capital and position the North West as a world leading hub for the global net zero economy.
HyNet is set to create 6,000 construction jobs and long-term operational roles, as well as additional jobs in the wider green energy supply chain throughout the region.
HyNet will reduce emissions of CO2 produced by industry by up to 10 million tonnes every year – the equivalent to removing four million cars from the road. It will also include a direct pipeline from a hydrogen manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port that will supply Manchester Airport with hydrogen fuel, helping to decarbonise operation in the aviation sector.
David Parkin, Chair of the HyNet Alliance said:
“HyNet was formed to meet the demands of industry wanting to decarbonise to deliver sustainable products and compete in the global low carbon economy. We need to decarbonise, not by de-industrialising, but by investing in the industries of the future that we rely on for the everyday products in our lives – from the glass bottles we use for our food and drink to the cement we use to build roads and buildings.
“Government’s commitment to HyNet will also enable generation of resilient low carbon power, right here in the industrial North West and North Wales, supporting its Clean Power 2030 Mission.
“This will create new roles and safeguard existing jobs, attracting investment and catalysing growth.”