Key partners involved in the Zero Carbon Humber scheme have welcomed the formal submission of the £75 million bid.
The opportunity to advance a green recovery at a mammoth level had been underlined, as well as the chance to lead the world on the environmental transformation of heavy industry.
A response from the government is anticipated in December.
Here BusinessLive takes a tour of the proposed pipeline, meeting the key figures behind the individual elements combining for cluster strength and a self-sourced solution to an unwanted tag of the worst emitting region in the 海角视频.
First and last stop is Centrica Storage. It owns and operates the Easington terminal which processes gas from the Southern North Sea, before injecting it into the national transmission system. Not only will it provide the feedstock for initial hydrogen production, it is also the gateway to the subsea holding of the carbon capture.
Greg McKenna, chief executive, said: “We believe this project represents a vital opportunity for the 海角视频 to decarbonise its industrial sectors with the Humber representing the largest CO2 emitting cluster in the country.
“Our business is experienced in delivering large infrastructure projects in the area, having managed multiple third-party pipeline landings including the construction and operation of the Langeled gas receiving facility which meets 20 per cent of the 海角视频’s gas demand.
“We look forward to supporting this project and the opportunity this provides for the 海角视频 to meet its net zero obligations by 2050.”
Most Read
Drax represents the starting point of the pipeline furthest west.
Will Gardiner, chief executive, said: “Advancing the Zero Carbon Humber plan is a major opportunity to decarbonise the 海角视频’s most carbon intensive industrial region – protecting jobs, tackling climate change and helping this uniquely well placed area to deliver clean growth after Covid.
“Drax’s pioneering work developing bioenergy with carbon capture and storage could deliver 16 million tonnes of negative emissions a year – critical for the Humber’s efforts to reach net zero and also positioning the 海角视频 as a world leader in a vital carbon removals technology that will be needed globally to meet climate targets.”
Next stop on the pipeline is proposed to be the Keadby power complex, west of Scunthorpe.
Stephen Wheeler, managing director of owner operator SSE Thermal, said: “We know the Humber has the potential to lead the way in the 海角视频’s transition to a net-zero future, and it’s essential we’re working together across the various industries in the region to turn this vision into a reality. For SSE Thermal’s part, we’re looking to develop a clean power hub for the region in North Lincolnshire, with Keadby Three as the 海角视频’s first gas-fired power station equipped with carbon capture and storage technology.
“Through the development of shared CCS and hydrogen infrastructure, the Zero Carbon Humber Partnership can help drive a clean industrial revolution across the Humber and wider regions, stimulating billions of pounds in private investment and supporting thousands of high-quality jobs.”
Crossing the River Trent and looping around Scunthorpe - where there are plans for further energy investments - the pipeline is set to take in one of the most traditional, energy intensive and polluting industries - steel making.
Don’t miss
As reported in the bid submission article, Ron Deelen, chief executive of British Steel, said: “We have ambitious plans to invest in a range of technologies to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations, with solutions that are globally recognised and acceptable to customers.
“The development of the ZCH project, with the proposed installation of a dual CCS and hydrogen supply pipeline, will afford us the opportunity to utilise a range of techniques to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations.
“This project complements the long-term decarbonising technology roadmap of British Steel.”
Another tapping in is Uniper , in a concentrated energy and refining cluster on the South Humber Bank.
Mike Lockett, country chairman and chief commercial officer for power, said: “Uniper supports the aims of the Zero Carbon Humber project; we see the infrastructure as a key enabler for our plans to develop clean hydrogen production at our Killingholme site to contribute to decarbonisation and employment in the region.”
Linking these heavy industry elements, and other operators, would be National Grid Ventures , provider of gas and electricity transmission infrastructure.
John Butterworth, managing director, said: “National Grid sits at the heart of the energy system, and we want to play our full role in supporting the 海角视频’s economic recovery through innovating and investing in strategic infrastructure solutions to support a net zero future.
“The Humber region offers unmatched potential to protect and grow jobs and decarbonise the 海角视频’s largest industrial heartland. A key to unlocking that potential will be to deliver the transport and storage infrastructure that will incentivise industrial emitters to adopt carbon capture technology. We are committed to working with our partners across the Humber region, leveraging our knowledge and experience, to accelerate the development of CCUS in the Humber and across the 海角视频.”
The anchor project, Equinor’s Hydrogen to Humber production plant, sits at Saltend Chemicals Park.
Also reported in the submission story, Al Cook, executive vice president and country manager at Equinor, said: “The Zero Carbon Humber bid demonstrates the ambitious action needed to drive a low carbon recovery and reach net zero. This proposal, supported by a broad group of companies, will bring huge benefits to the Humber economy, protecting and creating jobs and reducing emissions.
“The H2H Saltend project at the centre of this bid will both demonstrate the value of hydrogen and carbon capture across the wider energy system, and unlock the transformation of the Humber into the 海角视频’s largest and greenest industrial cluster."
Saltend Chemicals Park is operated by PX Group, having taken over the running of the industrial hub from BP, which itself is in the process of being acquired by Ineos.
Geoff Holmes, chief executive, said: “PX Group is delighted to be at the heart of the bid, a truly revolutionary and exciting project that puts Saltend and the Humber at the heart of the 海角视频 energy transition.
“Saltend Chemicals Park, in the 海角视频’s Energy Estuary, is perfectly positioned to be a key driving force behind the 海角视频’s switch from fossil fuels to cleaner, greener, energy - a national priority. It is already home to several world-class chemicals and renewable energy businesses. Integration and connectivity creates synergies and innovation within the park cluster. We’re looking forward to achieving the same with all the partners involved in the H2H Saltend and Zero Carbon Humber bid.”
The first phase could see 900,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide removed annually, with on-site power station Triton Power blending hydrogen in the fuel supply, via upgraded turbines.
Mick Farr, president and chief operating officer there, said: “Triton Power is delighted to support the next step of the energy transition. Our combined heat and power business at the Saltend Chemicals Park is integral to the bid and the H2H project. We have an experienced team, flexible assets and the technology necessary to make the fuel switch to hydrogen.
“We are proud to be part of the collaborating team where we have seen real engagement and a ‘can do’ spirit between partners. As a northerner, being able to deliver a compelling opportunity for our region that will have both local and national lasting effects is immensely satisfying and I really hope that this vision is transparent to government.”
Mitsubishi Power Europe is the manufacturer behind the upgrade.
Carlos Gonzalez Peton, chief executive, said: “As a major original equipment manufacturer of combined cycle power plants, Mitsubishi Power is a proud contributor to the Zero Carbon Humber project.
“Enabling our large-scale gas turbines at the power plant to burn a 30 per cent hydrogen fuel mix will significantly lower its carbon footprint.
“Combined cycle power plants are currently the 海角视频’s largest flexible power source and converting gas turbines to burn hydrogen will allow for a deep decarbonisation of the 海角视频 power sector while providing reliable and clean power to the grid.
“Zero Carbon Humber is a monumental step towards 100 per cent hydrogen gas turbine operations which we are working towards.”
Bringing academic insight and knowledge, while modeling the wider economic and supply chain opportunities, is the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
Ben Morgan, research director, said: “We are excited to be part of the Zero Carbon Humber project. Bound by a common objective of reducing carbon emissions across Yorkshire and the Humber we bring to the project a wealth of experience in advanced manufacturing innovation and supply chain development. As part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we have strong partner networks and proven supplier engagement models which will enable the ZCH project to anchor large sections of this nascent industry supply chain in the 海角视频. This in turn will provide long term sustainable wealth and support levelling up of the 海角视频 economy.”