Humber green industry capabilities could create 49,000 new jobs

Tens of thousands of new jobs in green industries could be created in the Humber according to a new report.

The new report from Vivid Economics was commissioned by Drax Group, a founding member of the Zero Carbon Humber partnership, to evaluate the socio-economic potential large-scale deployment of green energy technologies would have on the region and the UK.

Vivid Economics’ analysis shows that scaling up bioenergy with carbon capture technology (BECCS), which Drax has already begun at its power station in North Yorkshire, would support almost 17,000 jobs during construction in 2028.

Deploying hydrogen production at scale for fuel-switching, as well as carbon capture to decarbonise gas power and other industries, alongside BECCS at Drax, could create and support as many as 49,000 jobs in the Humber region at its peak in 2027.

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, commented: “This report shows what could be achieved across the Yorkshire and Humber region and wider Northern Powerhouse by developing BECCS at Drax and hydrogen in the Humber - cutting carbon emissions, protecting jobs in existing industries and creating many more new jobs throughout the region at a critical time.

“The Humber is already spearheading the UK’s sustainable energy revolution, and through further investment in these sectors we can hope to unlock yet more economic potential for the North.

“Companies like Drax play a vital role in decarbonising the economy and closing the North - South divide to build back better.”

Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, added: “With the development of a Zero Carbon Humber, within less than five years, this region could be at the forefront of the government’s green industrial revolution.

“Tens of thousands of jobs could be protected and created, supporting the North as it bounces forward from the Covid pandemic.”

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