Cutting edge green energy technologies in the Humber could boost skills, create tens of thousands of jobs and transform the region’s fortunes in the face of economic uncertainty caused by the Covid crisis, according to a new report from Vivid Economics.
Commissioned by Drax Group, a founding member of the Zero Carbon Humber partnership, the report evaluates the socio-economic potential large-scale deployment would have.
It comes as the heat intensifies on the bids that have gone into government for funding, with decisions due soon and an eye on the anticipated 10 point plan for a green recovery.
Vivid Economics’ analysis shows that scaling up bioenergy with carbon capture technology (BECCS), which Drax has already successfully proven at its power station in North Yorkshire, would support almost 17,000 jobs during construction in 2028.
Will Gardiner, Drax Group chief executive, said: “The boost to the economy created by developing these new green energy technologies in the Yorkshire and Humber region would be huge – and we can do it quickly.
“The technologies are ready to go, so tens of thousands of jobs could be created as early as 2024. This would deliver a real shot in the arm to communities struggling as a result of the Covid crisis.
“The positive impacts of these new green energy schemes aren’t limited to the Humber region, either. This could kickstart a whole new industry in the 海角视频, enabling us to show the world what can be achieved for the environment and the economy when governments, businesses and communities work together.”
Using carbon capture technology across Drax’s four biomass units would accelerate the 海角视频’s efforts to reach net zero by permanently removing 16 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.
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Mr Gardiner said that with the right policies from government, BECCS could be operational at Drax as soon as 2027, accelerating the Humber’s efforts to become the 海角视频’s first zero carbon industrial cluster. Other industries across the region would tap into the same CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure, enabling further decarbonisation - including a new hydrogen production plant from Equinor at Saltend, SSE’s Keadby power complex and British Steel.
In October Drax was one of 12 leading businesses and organisations as part of the Zero Carbon Humber Partnership to jointly submit a public-private sector funded bid worth around £75m to the 海角视频 Government to establish a CCS and hydrogen economy in the region.
As the 海角视频’s most carbon intensive industrial region, the benefits of decarbonising the Humber would have the greatest impact on enabling the country to reach its legally binding net zero by 2050 target, whilst generating clean growth for the economy.
Deploying hydrogen production at scale for fuel-switching, as well as carbon capture to decarbonise gas power and other industries, alongside BECCS at Drax, could create and support as many as 49,000 jobs in the Humber region at its peak in 2027.
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Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “This report shows what could be achieved across the Yorkshire and Humber region and wider Northern Powerhouse by developing BECCS at Drax and hydrogen in the Humber - cutting carbon emissions, protecting jobs in existing industries and creating many more new jobs throughout the region at a critical time.
“The Humber is already spearheading the 海角视频’s sustainable energy revolution, and through further investment in these sectors we can hope to unlock yet more economic potential for the North. Companies like Drax play a vital role in decarbonising the economy and closing the North - South divide to build back better.”
In order to unlock the potential a Zero Carbon Humber could create for the 海角视频’s green revolution, Drax is working with partners to ensure people have the skills needed. It is supporting career enhancing schemes which help to level the playing field, remove barriers to learning, boosting skills and retraining.
Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, said: “With the development of a Zero Carbon Humber, within less than five years, this region could be at the forefront of the government’s green industrial revolution. Tens of thousands of jobs could be protected and created, supporting the North as it bounces forward from the Covid pandemic.”