Carbon capture cluster to create 2,800 skilled jobs across North Wales and North West England
Carbon capture cluster to create 2,800 skilled jobs across North Wales and North West England
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The HyNet carbon capture project has received a major boost, with two additional projects entering negotiations to join the network, unlocking 800 new skilled jobs and bringing the total number of direct roles supported across North Wales and the North West to 2,800.
The expansion follows April’s go-ahead from the Prime Minister for construction to begin on the Liverpool Bay Transportation & Storage network, part of the wider HyNet carbon capture and storage (CCS) cluster. The site, which spans Cheshire and Flintshire, is central to the UK Government’s strategy for reducing industrial emissions and growing a clean energy economy.
The new projects, Uniper’s Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power station in North Wales and Evero’s Ince Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (InBECCS) facility in Cheshire, are expected to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero while delivering significant economic benefits for the region.
“We are securing the jobs of the future, the power for our homes and the protection of our planet by becoming world leaders on carbon capture and storage,” said Industry Minister Sarah Jones. “These new projects will bring industrial renewal, unlock growth and secure an additional 800 good, skilled jobs for local people across North Wales and the North West – taking the total supported by HyNet to 2,800 – all part of our Plan for Change.”
HyNet’s network is expected to store up to 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, equivalent to removing two million cars from the road, and will power up to 900,000 homes with clean energy. Its infrastructure will include new pipelines and retrofitted power plants, helping reduce industrial emissions while boosting regional employment in engineering, construction, and energy sectors.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “This is another significant moment for the growing clean energy industry in Wales. We are making the UK a clean energy superpower and delivering the well-paid, highly-skilled jobs of the future in the process.
“It’s fantastic to see North Wales at the forefront of the carbon capture industry and the hundreds of new jobs being created by the HyNet project will help drive regional growth as well as accelerating our drive towards lower bills and energy security.”
The Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power project, led by Uniper, will be capable of powering the equivalent of 900,000 homes while capturing its carbon emissions. The project will also provide critical backup energy during periods of low solar and wind generation.
Mike Lockett, Uniper UK Country Chair, said: “We’re delighted that that the UK Government has confirmed that we’re entering into negotiations to develop our Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power project in North Wales.
“Government’s support for the development of carbon capture and storage infrastructure, creating the framework needed for pioneering projects like our Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power, is vital for moving towards clean power 2030 and at the same time maintaining a secure electricity supply.”
Meanwhile, Evero’s InBECCS facility will become the UK’s first carbon capture-enabled greenhouse gas removal project, using waste wood to generate low-carbon energy while capturing 217,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Elliot Renton, Evero CEO, commented: “Being selected for negotiations to deliver the UK’s first BECCS facility is a significant milestone, and a clear signal of the government’s commitment to greenhouse gas removals.
“By removing 217,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year with proven technology, we’ll continue turning waste wood into clean power and begin delivering permanent decarbonisation. We’re proud to act as a pathfinder for greenhouse gas removal projects in the UK.”
Five additional projects have been shortlisted as potential standby additions to the HyNet network, including proposals in hydrogen production, energy-from-waste, and direct air carbon capture.
The announcement forms part of the government’s broader £21.7 billion investment in the UK’s carbon capture industry, with £9.4 billion committed over this parliament. The sector is projected to contribute around £5 billion annually to the UK economy by 2050 and support up to 50,000 jobs nationwide as it scales over the next decade.
Alongside HyNet, the UK Government is backing other major CCS projects such as the East Coast Cluster in Teesside, the Acorn project in Scotland, and the Viking project in the Humber, as part of its strategy to decarbonise heavy industry while maintaining energy security and export leadership in clean technology.
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