Teeside’s East Coat Cluster to create thousands of jobs in net zero project

Teeside’s East Coast Cluster has been selected as the preferred net zero project to lead the UK’s net zero ambitions, creating thousands of jobs.

The East Coast Cluster is a partnership between Net Zero Teesside (NZT), the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) and Zero Carbon Humber. It stands ready to remove 50 per cent of the UK’s industrial cluster CO2 emissions and supports the UK’s target of net zero emissions by 2050.

Net Zero Teesside (NZT), to be based at Teesworks, will now receive a share of the £1bn Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Infrastructure fund to create the country’s first decarbonised industrial cluster in the region.

The project, as part of the ECC, is set to create more than 25,000 jobs by 2050 and bring on average £2bn in GVA. Construction for the schemes is expected to create over 9,000 direct jobs.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’m delighted that, once again, our region has been firmly placed on the map and the Government has selected Teesside as their premier net zero project. Make no mistake, Teesside is now the go-to place to develop green and clean technologies of the future.

“This announcement today will allow the negotiations with Teesworks and Net Zero Teesside to be finalised and then work can crack on with the £220m engineering and design of the mammoth project.

“Once built it will lead the UK’s net zero ambitions and become the country’s first decarbonised industrial cluster.

Mayor Houchen continued: “This project is set to create many thousands of jobs, not only in construction, but in low-carbon technologies creating, cleaner, healthier and safer communities across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Andy Lane, MD of Northern Endurance Partnership, said: “We are delighted that the East Coast Cluster has been selected and we will look forward to delivering our project, removing up to 50 per cent of the UK’s industrial cluster CO2 emissions, creating tens of thousands of jobs and establishing the UK as a leader in the energy transition.”