Teesside is “ready to go” with the UK’s first scheme to capture carbon emissions - bringing with it a wave of 5,900 new jobs.
But the clock is ticking for Teesside’s high emissions - and we need “huge leaps, not tiny steps” to avoid large-scale job losses - just like SSI, industry experts say.
MPs have taken the case to Westminster to appeal for a timetable from Government to “make real progress”.
So what exactly IS the new technology?
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) would take harmful emissions from Teesside’s heavy industry and send it to massive empty spaces beneath the North Sea - including old oil fields - instead of being released into the atmosphere, where they can cause global warming.
How much will it cost?
At a cost of billions, CCS isn’t cheap - but campaigners say the cost to the taxpayer would be far less than it would be if the technology was implemented further down the line.
“Investing now would deliver the lowest cost to the consumer,” says Redcar MP Anna Turley.
What about jobs?
CCS on Teesside would create 1,200 construction jobs and a further 5,900 permanent jobs - but that’s not even the biggest win. It’s believed many thousands more chemical and process roles would be safeguarded.
Why would Teesside be a frontrunner?
Teesside is seen as a natural choice because it’s home to 60% of the UK’s energy intensive industry.
It’s also in the perfect spot; next to the North Sea, where there are 600 possible places to store carbon on the UK continental shelf.
Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham said: “Teesside has the workforce, the strong engineering skills required for CCS from long-standing expertise in oil and gas, chemical and process industries.”
The former SSI site - set to be developed by South Tees Development Corporation - has been called a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ for a world renowned CCS site, with industry at its heart’.
Why is it important for Teesside?
UK rules on emissions mean companies on Teesside are having to pay more to emit carbon; they could take their business to other countries that are more competitive.
“If we don’t [move on CCS], we risk seeing the problems of SSI steelworks happen in other sectors,” warns Ms Turley.
CCS could be essential in ensuring the UK meets its legally binding targets of 80% carbon reduction - meaning companies could relocate to Teesside if it’s the only place in the UK to have the technology.
Who’s driving this?
A group of major local companies called Teesside Collective.
Members Sembcorp and SABIC together emit 1.25m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
Another - BOC - operates the UK’s largest hydrogen plant.
The collective already has industrial plants producing carbon dioxide - and requires “no additional capture facilities at all”. It wants £15m from the Government to get a demonstration under way.
The government has committed £20m to supporting a demo for CCS in the UK, putting the technology firmly back on the table after it abandoned a £1bn scheme back in 2015.
Teesside is campaigning hard for a slice of the funds.
How far off is CCS?
Teesside is “ready to go” - but it needs Government and industry to agree a funding mechanism.
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke said: “We could be capturing and storing carbon dioxide in just six years. No further innovation or research is required.”
Why is the “clock ticking”?
Rotterdam is one of the biggest industrial sized competitors, with other sites in Norway and The Netherlands also stealing a march.
Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham said: “We need huge leaps, not tiny steps."
:: Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen will come under the spotlight this November at a special breakfast event held by The Gazette at Hardwick Hall.
To book your place or for further information log onto or www.gazettelive.co.uk/businessevents , alternatively contact Jennifer Lee, Events Manager on 0191 201 6168 or email firstname.lastname@example.org .