British Steel is supporting a bid to help the Humber region achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and membership organisation CATCH have submitted a joint proposal with industry for funding to develop a comprehensive plan for decarbonisation in our region – the Humber Cluster Plan (HCP).
A joint bid involving eight private sector partner organisations, including British Steel, has been submitted to Innovate UK as part of the Government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge Fund scheme, part of the £350m green recovery package the Prime Minister has announced.
If successful, the £2.6m project (including £1.658m sought from Government) could move the Humber closer to achieving large-scale decarbonisation, with businesses across the Humber working to find effective and lasting solutions for the region.
The seven other partner organisations for this funding bid are Centrica, Drax, Equinor, National Grid Ventures, Phillips 66, SSE Thermal and VPI Immingham. They include the strategically important refining and steel sectors, as well as major energy producers and low carbon infrastructure providers. A wider group of businesses will be involved in developing the plan, with all energy-intensive industries in the Humber invited to take part.
Dr Gari Harris, British Steel’s R&D Manager, said: “Decarbonisation of the UK economy is a complex task that will require an integrated approach from cross-sector industries and Government to achieve the required aim.
“British Steel is proud to be part of an ambitious effort through the Humber Cluster Plan that will map-out a clear path towards a zero-carbon position for the Humber Region by 2040. The exciting part of this plan is that it will enable close synchronisation of British Steel's internal decarbonisation plan with the plans of other industrial sectors and local Government. No one company or Government body can do this complicated task alone, an integrated approach is key.
“British Steel is at the heart of the Humber Cluster and we’re committed to playing our part in this plan.”