More than 250 business representatives have been given a greater understanding of the potential supply chain opportunities within the Humber Zero project.
The transformational scheme focuses on the Immingham industrial cluster, with plans for carbon capture and storage technology to be deployed across bothe Phillips 66 Humber Refining and the adjoining VPI power plant.
Suppliers of equipment, materials, fabrication and construction services heard how the initial phase will see an investment of £1.2 billion on the South Bank.
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Chris Gilbert, technical manager at Phillips 66, said: “We are looking to start construction of our carbon capture facilities in 2024 and to be completed in 2027. This will be a great economic boost for the area as it will create around 2,500 construction jobs, 200 permanent jobs and safeguard up to around 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Humber region.”
The event was supported by Worley, the global engineering giant working closely with Phillips 66 Limited and VPI Immingham LLP to provide the front-end engineering design. During the day suppliers also heard from guest speakers Dr William Joyce, innovation lead at UKRI and Ewan Booth, engineering manager at Harbour Energy, who own and manage one of the potential transport and storage options for the carbon captured - V-Net Zero.
VPI Immingham’s Humber Zero project director Jonathan Briggs said: “Reducing carbon emissions is vital to meet the Government’s net zero ambition by 2050. The Humber region is the largest emitter of carbon emissions in the UK. This project has the potential to reduce up to eight million tonnes of CO2 from the Immingham industrial area entering the atmosphere each year by 2050.
“This project is a first to capture CO2 at these scales and we want to engage everyone across the supply chain in this exciting opportunity for the Humber region.”
Held at Doubletree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa and Golf Resort, the afternoon saw suppliers attend different breakout sessions, focusing on mechanical and piping; electrical and control and instrumentation; and construction.
They were briefed on how they can become verified suppliers and the technical requirements of the projects, with questions also fielded.
For those unable to attend, as a supplier or contractor, more information and the opportunity to register interest is available on the Humber Zero website.
The first consultation period ahead of formal planning is just drawing to a close on Humber Zero.
It was awarded £12.5 million from UK Research and Innovation to progress with front end engineering design, with Phillips 66 and VPI matching it.
Progress on the cluster sequencing with BEIS is anticipated shortly.
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