United Kingdom – HyNet North West, a hydrogen energy and Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) project, has received £72 million in funding.
HyNet North West will turn the North West into the world’s first low-carbon manufacturing cluster, playing a vital role in the UK’s move to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and the global fight against climate change.
10-point strategy
HyNet North West is important for the UK Government to achieve many priorities outlined in the 10-point strategy for a green industrial revolution, as well as the urban net zero commitments of Cheshire West & Chester in2045, Liverpool City Area in 2040, and Greater Manchester in 2038.
HyNet North West will start converting natural gas into low-carbon hydrogen at Stanlow Refinery in 2025, with carbon dioxide securely gathered and deposited offshore in the Liverpool Bay gas fields. A new pipeline network will deliver clean hydrogen to North West England and North Wales to power industry, fuel buses, trains, and heavy goods vehicles, produce electricity, and heat homes.
In2025, HyNet North West will begin refining natural gas into low-carbon hydrogen at Stanlow Refinery, with carbon dioxide safely collected and stored offshore in the Liverpool Bay gas fields.
Thousands of new jobs
The project will kickstart a low-carbon hydrogen economy, protecting and generating jobs whilst preparing the country to be a global leader in renewable energy innovation. HyNet North West will protect and sustain employment in existing high-value manufacturing sectors, in addition to generating over 6,000 additional permanent jobs. Workers will gain new skills and learn in promising new industries, promoting economic development and inward investment. HyNet North West will help sustain up to 75,000 jobs around the world by 2035 by jumpstarting the UK’s hydrogen industry.
The £72 million confirmed investment includes £33 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge (IDC) fund and £39 million from consortium members. The funding would allow HyNet North West to move quickly to a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the initial phase in 2023, and to become operational in 2025. Further elements of the HyNet North West project will be introduced, resulting in the delivery of up to 30TWh/year of low carbon hydrogen by 2030 – enough to displace 45 percent of natural gas consumed in the region.
Environmental surveys
HyNet North West has been in operation for four years, with comprehensive engineering trials and demonstration programs completed so far. Environmental survey work has recently began, with funds from the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Fund, and consultation with residents, including the general public, will begin later this year as part of the planning process to obtain development consent.
