This Is Tees Valley This Is Tees Valley - Issue 1 2020 | Page 39

A
LEADING
LIGHT
Tees Valley embarks on energy revolution
T
ees Valley is developing a
reputation as a global pioneer in
the clean energy sector, boosting
the region’s economy while helping
to combat climate change.
Through the area’s innovation, expertise
and unique industrial landscape, it is
perfectly positioned to take advantage of the
opportunities surrounding this emerging
sector and lead the world in low carbon
industry and hydrogen.
This vision is being led by the Tees Valley
mayor, the combined authority and South
Tees Development Corporation, along with
a number of strategic partners, working to
secure major inward investment into clean
energy and the circular economy.
Things are happening in the region right
now. The mayor, combined authority and
development corporation are working with a
consortium consisting of some of the biggest
energy companies in the world – including
BP, Shell and Total – to develop the UK’s first
decarbonised industrial cluster by 2030.
Central to this is a unique and ground-
breaking full-scale carbon capture,
utilisation and storage project. Known as Net
Zero Teesside, the project will capture up
to six million tonnes of carbon dioxide per
year, equivalent to the annual energy use of
two million homes.
This carbon dioxide will then be
transported via pipeline to be stored in sites
under the North Sea,
with the potential for it
to be reused in a range
of other industrial
processes.
This will not only
help the environment
but also provide a
significant number of
good quality, well-paid
jobs for local people.
The Tees Valley is set to lead
on hydrogen fuelling stations.
Tees Valley produces
more than 50% of the
UK’s hydrogen and it is
already used in the area
as an industrial fuel and
heat source.
The growth of clean energy offers
excellent opportunities to grow the regional
economy. As well as helping to decarbonise
the environment, the project will support
up to 4,000 direct and indirect jobs during
construction, attracting new technologies
and further investment from companies
looking to relocate to the Tees Valley.
Hydrogen will also play a large part in
these clean energy plans. The Tees Valley
produces more than 50% of the UK’s
hydrogen and it is already used in the area as
an industrial fuel and heat source.
The region’s ambitions go further than
this, however, with hydrogen vehicles and
refuelling stations set to be rolled out.
Last year the Tees Valley mayor and
combined authority, along with research
and innovation organisation the Materials
Processing Institute, secured £1.3m from
the government to develop two stations and
a fleet of vehicles, but it doesn’t stop at cars.
Plans are now being progressed to bring
hydrogen rail to the area and for it to become
a national hydrogen centre for the UK.
The knock-on benefits of a strong
hydrogen economy include adding up to
£7bn to our economy from now until 2050
and the creation of 1,000 new jobs.
When it comes to blazing a trail to tackle
one of the most pressing issues of the day in
a forward-thinking, innovative way for the
good of the whole UK, the future is in the
Tees Valley.
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