Key figures in the 海角视频’s Energy Estuary have welcomed the Government’s legally binding Net Zero target, putting the Humber forward as the ultimate pilot location.
Just seven days ago the region declared its hand with an ambitious aim to hit the same goal by 2040.
Already home to the world’s largest offshore wind cluster, with a clear path to 8GW of installed capacity prior to further round announcements and a sector deal, carbon capture and storage is also being developed. It is required to help neutralise the traditional heavy industry emissions that have made the region one of the worst offenders when it comes to climate change contribution.
Lord Haskins, chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We very much welcome this. My argument is if we can get to carbon neutral in the Humber, you can get carbon neutral everywhere.
“On one hand we have the heavy polluting industry in the area, which is a reality, and on the other hand we have got renewables, and potential to substantially increase that, to massively increase it. We also have a city region trying to affect citizens’ behaviours too.
“We should be the pilot; it is not going to be easy, it is a very complex process, so why not take an area on? We have one million people here, if we get it right here then the lessons learned from that can be rolled out.”
Leading offshore wind developer Orsted has just started operations on what will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm out of Grimsby, as it continues to be built out from Green Port Hull.
海角视频 managing director Matthew Wright welcomed the Prime Minister to Orsted's East Coast Hub in the town earlier this year. He said: “Today, the 海角视频 Government has taken a historic step in the fight against climate change. As the first major economy to legislate for a net zero target, the 海角视频 shows a bold commitment to a cleaner and greener future.
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“As the global leader in offshore wind, with 3.7GW already in operation, we’re proud to be leading the country’s green transformation. Let’s create a world that runs entirely on green energy.”
It comes as the industry on the estuary prepares to gather to celebrate success with the Humber Renewables Awards just 24 hours away, with Siemens Gamesa - the huge blade manufacturer based in Hull, the headline sponsor.
Keynote speaker and head judge is chairman and chief executive of Team Humber Marine Alliance, Mark O’Reilly.
He said: “The Humber can play a key role here. When I look at the industrial strategy launched last week at the Humber LEP summit you can see it dominates the economy of the Humber. It has been our focus too, clean growth in the Energy Estuary and developing the Humber ports.
“We have led with both of these, low carbon green generation across the board. Us, Aura, Bondholders, Grimsby Renewables Partnership, the LEP, we are all singing off the same hymn sheet, and are not alone in this ambition. We have the chance as a region to lead on this. The Humber has set the target of 2040, a little earlier than the Government - by a decade - so our strategy fits the national agenda and we are doing it. It is more challenge, but it is a necessary challenge.”
The key aspect of the Humber's charge, aside from green generation, is ensuring zero emission from more traditional industry, with the 海角视频's largest power station - now fed by biomass, not coal - and steel and oil production critical elements too.
A pilot is ongoing, with further collaboration announced with industry giant Equinor and National Grid Ventures too.
Drax Group chief executive Will Gardiner said: “A net-zero economy is vital if we are to avert the climate crisis. By upscaling the successful biomass with carbon capture and storage pilot at Drax and developing the world’s first negative emissions power station we can deliver for the climate and the economy – well ahead of the Government’s 2050 target.”