Centrica, SSE and Uniper join efforts to develop zero-carbon industrial hub in Humber

A group of eleven companies, including Centrica, SSE and Uniper, have agreed to work together to create a zero-carbon industrial hub in the Humber region by 2040.

The consortium also includes National Grid, Equinor and Drax, which last year revealed they were exploring the possibility of creating a low-carbon industrial cluster in the region in the mid-2020s.

Completing the roster are VPI Immingham, Saltend Cogeneration Company, Phillips 66 and Associated British Ports.

The announcement comes after UK Research and Innovation awarded the project a share of £1 million to develop a roadmap for delivery as part of the first phase of the government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Similar projects in the North West, Teesside and South Wales also secured shares.

The Humber scheme will seek to decarbonise industry in the region through the use of low-carbon – and eventually zero-carbon – hydrogen, biomass and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The initial work includes identifying suitable anchor projects for hydrogen and CCS networks.

The initiative is being led by Equinor. Speaking on behalf of the consortium, the company’s vice president and UK country manager, Al Cook, said: “We are delighted to be working with such a broad group of skilled and experienced partners on a plan that will bring huge benefits for the economy of the Humber and the environment.

“We believe CCS and hydrogen must play a significant role in decarbonising energy systems in the UK and globally, so we are pleased that the UK Government and UKRI have recognised the ambition and potential of these proposals. At such a difficult time, we hope this can represent some good news for UK industry, jobs, the environment and the economy.”

Last month, Uniper and Siemens agreed to work together to scale-up the production of green hydrogen using renewable power, saying they were “ready to invest”.