The UK’s rapidly growing carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) industry is set to deliver a significant employment boom, with 2800 new jobs projected across North Wales and North West England. The surge follows the government’s approval of two new priority projects for the HyNet carbon capture cluster, a major development in the nation’s clean energy transition.
HyNet, a vast network spanning Cheshire and Flintshire, will play a pivotal role in the UK’s decarbonisation strategy. By transporting captured carbon dioxide to offshore storage sites in Liverpool Bay, it will support the shift away from fossil fuels while safeguarding thousands of industrial jobs.
HyNet’s Critical Role in the UK’s Decarbonisation Strategy
HyNet is at the heart of the UK’s industrial decarbonisation plans, designed to cut emissions in sectors where electrification is difficult or impractical. The network will connect power plants, manufacturing hubs, and hydrogen facilities to a sophisticated pipeline system, leading to depleted gas reservoirs beneath the seabed for permanent CO₂ storage.
Once fully operational, HyNet will:
- Store 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
- Deliver an emissions reduction equivalent to removing two million petrol and diesel cars from the roads.
- Generate enough clean energy to power 900,000 homes.
- Contribute an estimated £5 billion per year to the UK economy by 2050.
| Feature | Capacity/Impact |
|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Storage | 4.5 million tonnes |
| Equivalent Vehicles Removed | 2 million |
| Homes Powered | Up to 900,000 |
| Direct Jobs Supported | 2800 |
| Estimated Annual Economic Value (by 2050) | £5 billion |
This infrastructure will involve a combination of new pipelines, repurposed power stations, and advanced facilities, helping to anchor the UK as a global leader in CCUS technology.
Two New Priority Projects Confirmed
The latest announcement adds two landmark projects to HyNet’s network:
- Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power (North Wales)
- Designed to serve as a low-carbon backup electricity source for the national grid.
- At full output, it will generate power for 900,000 homes.
- It will capture and store all associated CO₂ emissions, creating a model for sustainable energy resilience.
- Ince Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (InBECCS) in Cheshire
- The UK’s first CCUS-enabled greenhouse gas removal facility.
- Will run on waste wood, producing low-carbon electricity while simultaneously removing 217000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
- Marks a crucial step in developing negative-emission technologies.
These two projects alone are expected to create 800 new skilled roles, contributing to the 2,800-job total across the wider HyNet cluster.
Standby Projects Ready for Connection
Beyond the confirmed projects, the government has identified five additional projects that could join HyNet in the near future. These cover hydrogen production, industrial carbon capture, waste-to-energy, and direct air capture (DAC).
| Project | Location | Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Birch – Climeworks UK Ltd | Stanlow, Cheshire | Direct Air Capture |
| Essar Energy Transition ICC | Stanlow, Cheshire | Industrial Carbon Capture |
| Hydrogen Production Plant 2 (HPP2) | Stanlow, Cheshire | Hydrogen Production |
| Parc Adfer Energy from Waste ICC | Deeside, North Wales | Waste-to-Energy with CCS |
| Runcorn Carbon Capture Project | Runcorn, Cheshire | Industrial Carbon Capture |
These standby initiatives demonstrate the scalability of the HyNet model, ensuring the network can expand to meet future carbon reduction and clean energy targets.
Economic and Strategic Benefits
The expansion of HyNet is not just about emissions reduction—it is also about job creation, industrial growth, and energy security.
- Employment: Thousands of roles will be created in engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance, as well as in local supply chains. The wider UK CCUS sector could support 50000 jobs by the 2030s.
- Economic growth: HyNet is projected to inject billions into the economy annually by 2050.
- Energy security: By integrating carbon capture with hydrogen and renewable power, the UK can reduce its reliance on imported energy.
- Global leadership: Britain will strengthen its position as a world leader in CCUS technology and expertise, opening doors for international exports.
HyNet and the UK’s £21.7 Billion CCUS Commitment
The HyNet cluster is part of the government’s £21.7 billion CCUS investment package, with £9.4 billion earmarked in the current parliamentary term under the Plan for Change. The plan aims to:
- Cut emissions drastically.
- Secure energy supplies for the long term.
- Support industries and jobs through the green transition.
This funding demonstrates the government’s belief that carbon capture is essential to achieving net zero, while keeping heavy industry competitive in a decarbonising global economy.
Local Impact: What It Means for North Wales and North West England
The regions of Cheshire and Flintshire will experience the most immediate benefits, becoming hubs for low-carbon industry and clean technology. Communities are expected to see:
- Direct jobs in CCUS infrastructure.
- Indirect employment in transport, housing, and services linked to construction.
- Long-term growth in STEM-based industries and educational opportunities for local youth.
For local residents, the HyNet projects represent both a climate solution and an economic revival, particularly in areas previously reliant on traditional heavy industries.
Challenges Ahead: Delivering on Scale and Speed
While HyNet promises enormous opportunities, there are challenges to address:
- Financing: Maintaining steady funding and private investment through long project timelines.
- Technology scaling: Ensuring CCUS and hydrogen technologies perform effectively at industrial scale.
- Public acceptance: Building confidence in CCUS safety, especially around CO₂ storage under the seabed.
- Workforce training: Equipping workers with the skills to transition into CCUS and hydrogen roles.
Government and industry leaders argue that with proper coordination, these hurdles can be overcome, ensuring the UK remains on track for net zero by 2050.
5 SEO FAQs
Q1. What is the HyNet carbon capture project?
HyNet is a UK initiative connecting industries to pipelines that capture and transport CO₂ to offshore storage sites, reducing emissions while creating clean energy.
Q2. How many jobs will HyNet create?
The expansion is expected to support 2,800 jobs directly, with the wider UK CCUS industry projected to support 50,000 roles by the 2030s.
Q3. What are the two new priority projects in HyNet?
They include Connah’s Quay Low Carbon Power in North Wales and Ince Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage in Cheshire.
Q4. How much CO₂ will HyNet capture annually?
HyNet is designed to capture 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, equivalent to removing two million cars from UK roads.
Q5. What is the UK government’s financial commitment to CCUS?
The government has pledged £21.7 billion to CCUS, with £9.4 billion allocated in the current parliamentary term.
