Two projects to capture carbon from cement production and waste incineration are set to begin construction, the º£½ÇÊÓƵ Government has announced.
It includes the first carbon capture-enabled cement plant at Padeswood in Flintshire, developed by Heidelberg Materials º£½ÇÊÓƵ, and one of the world's first full-scale carbon capture-enabled waste-to-energy facilities at Protos in Ellesmere Port, developed by Encyclis.
The schemes in Flintshire and Cheshire will create and secure 500 skilled jobs in the construction phase and ongoing operations, with more than half of those in North Wales.
They are the first two projects to join Eni's Liverpool Bay transportation and storage network which will store carbon emissions captured from a range of industries under the sea, officials said.
It is part of the HyNet carbon capture cluster that was given the green light by the Prime Minister in April.
The º£½ÇÊÓƵ Government is attempting to drive forward the technology which climate advisers have said is a key part of cutting the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's carbon emissions to zero overall by 2050, a process known as net zero.
Technology to capture carbon dioxide and pipe it to long-term storage deep underground or under the sea is seen as important in tackling emissions from industrial processes, hydrogen production and gas power plants. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
The Government has pledged nearly £22 billion in support over 25 years to develop carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teesside to create thousands of jobs, draw in private investment and help the º£½ÇÊÓƵ meet its climate goals, with £9.4 billion of investment announced at the spending review.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said cement and waste-to-energy production were both carbon intensive and had no route to cutting emissions without carbon capture technology.
The two projects are expected to remove 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, when the infrastructure is up and running.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: "Our clean energy mission means good jobs, regional growth, and investment for local communities.
"These trailblazing projects showcase North Wales and the North West's workforce on the global stage - leading the charge in the clean industries of the future and powering Britain's reindustrialisation."
Simon Willis, chief executive of Heidelberg Materials º£½ÇÊÓƵ, said the new facility "will capture around 800,000 tonnes of CO2 a year from our existing cement works, allowing us to produce evoZero net zero cement, which will help the º£½ÇÊÓƵ construction industry reach its decarbonisation aims".
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: "We are making the º£½ÇÊÓƵ a clean energy superpower while delivering the well-paid, highly-skilled jobs of the future.
"It is fantastic to see North Wales at the forefront of carbon capture and the hundreds of new jobs being created by these projects will help drive regional growth as well as accelerating our drive towards lower bills and energy security."
Mark Burrows-Smith, chief executive of Encyclis, said: "This first full-scale carbon capture deployment in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ enables us to continue providing an essential treatment service for non-recyclable waste while reducing carbon emissions, creating new skilled jobs and clearing a pathway for wider adoption across the industry." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
