UK’s first carbon capture in Teesside

Yesterday (10th December), the North East of England signed contracts for the UK’s first carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) project, creating thousands of new jobs across the area. CCUS is a decarbonisation strategy that involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions before they reach the atmosphere, and then storing them beneath the seabed so they cannot contribute to the climate emergency.

The East Coast Cluster in Teesside is aiming to start construction in mid-2025, the government’s latest achievement in reigniting industrial heartlands, tackling the climate crisis, as well as boosting growth for the future.

This comes part of both the government’s recently-announced Plans for Change, as well as its £21.7 billion during commitment to ensure the UK’s plans for CCUS is able to come into fruition. Work is set to start in 2025, with one of its first projects, Net Zero Teesside Power, estimating to deliver secure low-carbon energy capable of powering up to one million homes from 2028.

This will boost the UK economy, both by unlocking £4 billion worth of contracts awarded by projects in the East Coast Cluster to supply chains, as well as creating 2,000 jobs in the North East initially, with tens of thousands more to be supported across the UK as the CCUS industry grows.

Prime minister, Keir Starmer, said: “For far too long our industrial heartlands have been held back by 14 years of instability and low-growth. Working people deserve better.

“Today’s investment is proof that this government is taking a different approach by putting growth first and investing in the industries of the future. That means thousands of jobs secured in the North East and across the UK for years to come.

“This is only the start. Our Plan for change puts more money in working people’s pockets, secures home-growth energy and protects billpayers, so tyrants like Putin can’t attack the living standards of working people again.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “The Prime Minister was clear last week — our plan for change is going to put more money in working people’s pockets. Today’s announcement delivers both — new jobs and economic growth.

“This investment launches a new era for clean energy in Britain — boosting energy security, backing industries, and supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs in Teesside and the North East.

“This is the government’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower in action — replacing Britain’s energy insecurity and homegrown clean power that rebuilds the strength of our industrial heartlands.”