• Funding for two carbon capture clusters in North West and North East of England announced
• 4,000 jobs to be created and 50,000 supported in the long-term
• BECCS expected to play a critical role in removing carbon and helping UK meet net zero

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) welcomes the progress on the carbon capture and hydrogen cluster programmes. The two carbon capture clusters in the North West and North East of England will create thousands of new highly skilled jobs, while ensuring that others can transition into clean energy roles, boosting the economy and delivering critical carbon removals.

The UK has a fantastic opportunity to lead the way in establishing a viable carbon removals market, and this starts with ensuring a wide range of CCUS technologies are supported in the carbon clusters. This includes the use of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which allows for the actual removal of carbon from the atmosphere, not just the capture of carbon from the combustion of fossil fuels. This shortlisting announcement is the next step in that process and sends a strong signal to developers.

Trevor Hutchings, Chief Executive at the REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology), said:

 “Today’s announcement will drive investment, deliver growth and create thousands of jobs, and is a bold and welcome step by the government. CCUS and hydrogen are important technologies in our fight against climate change and must sit alongside a range of innovations that will remove carbon from the atmosphere so that we can achieve net zero.

 One such innovation is the specific application of CCUS technologies to bioenergy, known as Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), which is expected to play a critical role in delivering around 53Mt of carbon removals per year.

 Given its potential, it is critical that BECCS projects also attract investment as Government continues the positive work in advancing the decarbonisation of industrial clusters.”

—ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Samantha Smith, Head of Biomass: [email protected]

Read the Biomass UK first 100 days document.

Read the BECCS: making Britain a clean energy superpower document.

Notes to editors

About the REA:

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (known as the REA) is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 500 members operating across heat, transport, power and the circular economy. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation representing fourteen sectors, ranging from composting, biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders. For more information, please visit: www.r-e-a.net