Parts of the North have been classsed as “super regions” which have the best geological conditions to help the 海角视频 in its multibillion-pound clean energy drive.
The North East, the North West and South Yorkshire and the Humber have the right geologies to host certain net zero technologies, including carbon capture and storage, shallow geothermal installations or critical minerals occurrences. The British Geological Survey says the “Goldilocks zones” are “just right” to help the country meet its target of hosting 650,000 jobs in renewable energy by 2030.
Along with Northern Ireland, the Scottish Central Belt, the East Midlands and East Anglia, South Wales and South West England, the British Geological Survey says the Northern areas could play a “pivotal role” in the drive to more sustainable energy production. Using such areas would create cheaper and more reliable energy, boost the economy and help the 海角视频 reach net zero targets.
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The geologists assessed that strategic spatial planning for such technologies in these areas can help unlock an estimated £40bn of annual investment.
But they added that further investigation will be required to fully establish each of the super regions' true potential, ensure safe deployment of each technology, and understand environmental impact
Michelle Bentham, British Geological Survey chief scientist for decarbonisation and resource management, said: “The 海角视频 is incredibly diverse in its geology. Because it’s out of sight, geology gets a little bit forgotten about.
“And I don’t think people realise how blessed we are in the 海角视频, if you like, in terms of the geology that could really help us have a sustainable future. But you can really see the difference that geology could make to reaching Government goals in terms of net zero, energy provision, clean energy.”
Ms Bentham said strategic spatial planning for below ground areas could also help optimise the 海角视频’s resources for the energy transition. For example, it could stop decision makers from locking into one technology – such as wind farms or CCS – in one area where another could have yielded more benefits, or where multiple technologies could have been deployed.
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The study highlights the North East’s offshore and onshore sedimentary basins, which provide favourable conditions for carbon capture and storage, energy storage and geothermal projects. It says the region’s legacy of coal mining means it is well placed to play a key role in the 海角视频’s decarbonised energy future.
The South Yorkshire and Humber area is also highlighted as an area for both carbon capture and storage and energy storage, while the report outlines “significant opportunity” for onshore and offshore wind power and geothermal energy projects. The North West is highlighted for its industrial history and ability to integrate low-carbon technologies, including hydrogen storage and geothermal heating.
The Government has pledged to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030, as part of its plans to make the 海角视频 run almost entirely on clean energy by that point, as well as investing in carbon capture and storage, and long-term energy storage. Last month it said that communities living near new clean energy schemes could get cash for sports facilities, better transport links and training schemes.