Mayor Steve Rotheram welcomes £22bn Government support for carbon capture projects that will create thousands of jobs

• HyNet is a low carbon cluster, largely concentrated in the Liverpool City Region
• The project will implement carbon capture and storage and low carbon hydrogen infrastructure at large scale, enabling industry to decarbonise
• Expected to create thousands of jobs

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram today welcomed the government’s announcement of support for Hynet, a scheme designed to unlock the industry decarbonisation and growth across the North West and North Wales industrial heartlands.

The significant milestone was announced by the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Net Zero and Energy at Encirc, an international glass production plant and partner of HyNet.

A commitment of £21.7bn over 25 years means the UK will be among the first to deploy carbon capture technology at scale in the Liverpool City Region and Teesside – capturing CO2 emissions before they reach the atmosphere and storing them away safely.

Welcoming the government’s announcement on Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“Today’s announcement is about reigniting Britain’s industrial heartlands, and the Liverpool City Region is ready to lead the charge. By investing in carbon capture technology, we’re not only cleaning up our environment but also creating thousands of skilled jobs and driving billions of pounds in private investment into our region.

“As the UK’s Renewable Energy Coast, the Liverpool City Region has already positioned itself at the forefront of the green industrial revolution. This commitment takes us another step closer to our ambitious net zero goals. It’s a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when local leaders and government work together, turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities that deliver real growth.

“This will help stop carbon escaping into the atmosphere but, beyond that, it will help to turbocharge our economy and ensure the future is built on sustainable foundations, with good jobs and opportunity for all. The Liverpool City Region is ready to be a driving force for change, both for our environment and our economy.”

HyNet is a low carbon cluster which will implement carbon capture and storage and low carbon hydrogen infrastructure at large scale, enabling industry to decarbonise.

Delivering HyNet will secure £5 billion of private sector capital to enable re-industrialisation of the region, allow companies to successfully compete in international low carbon markets and attract new industries to the UK.

HyNet will position Britain as a world leader in the global net zero economy.  The creation of 6,000 construction jobs and long-term operational roles will build a strong base of skills for those wanting to retrain as well as those beginning their career.  In addition, the region’s economy will be bolstered by a burgeoning supply chain.  HyNet’s blueprint can be replicated across the globe, enabling widespread decarbonisation of hard to abate sectors and allowing the export of skills.

Subsequent phases of HyNet will underpin delivery of the Governments Clean Power 2030 mission.  This will include hydrogen storage to boost energy security and to fuel flexible power generation, providing us with power when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.

HyNet will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by industry by up to 10 million tonnes every year – the equivalent to removing four million cars from the road.

David Parkin, Chair of the HyNet Alliance said:

“HyNet was formed to meet the demands of industry wanting to decarbonise to deliver sustainable products and compete in the global low carbon economy. We need to decarbonise, not by de-industrialising, but by investing in the industries of the future that we rely on for the everyday products in our lives – from the glass bottles we use for our food and drink to the cement we use to build roads and buildings.

“Government’s commitment to HyNet will also enable generation of resilient low carbon power, right here in the industrial North West and North Wales, supporting its Clean Power 2030 Mission.

“This will create new roles and safeguard existing jobs, attracting investment and catalysing growth.”