CARBON capture plans that would increase the use of clean power across North Wales and North West England have received a funding boost.

HyNet is set to be listed in one of two ‘Track 1’ Industrial Decarbonisation Clusters, which means the project, which operates around Ellesmere Port, will be able to access a £1billion pot of funding to develop technology and commence operations.

The UK Government is progressing with its plans to produce hydrogen from natural gas at the site, with carbon capture and storage in former oil and gas fields off the coast of North Wales.

HyNet will see the development of a new hydrogen pipeline and the creation of the UK’s first carbon capture, and storage infrastructure.

When operational, the energy produced will be used widely in North Wales, including in industry, to power public transport and domestically.

The project is expected to create up to 6,000 new jobs as well as retaining high skilled manufacturing roles.

Officers of the Mersey Dee North Wales all-party parliamentary group have previously voiced support for the project to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The project forms part of the UK Government's 10 Point Plan to deploy Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) in a minimum of two industrial clusters by the mid-2020s, and four by 2030 at the latest.

The aim is to use CCUS technology to capture and store 20-30 MtCO2 per year by 2030, forming the foundations for future investment and potential export opportunities. CCUS will be crucial for industrial decarbonisation, low carbon power, engineered greenhouse gas removal technologies and delivering our 5GW by 2030 low carbon hydrogen production ambition.

Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies, who chairs the Mersey Dee North Wales all-party parliamentary group, said: “I am delighted that HyNet has been announced as a Track 1 cluster and will be in line for UK Government funding. The sustainable development of this project will create thousands of jobs and help promote North Wales as a hub for clean energy innovation.

"From as soon as 2025, the project will enable our manufacturing sector across the region to decarbonise, as well as providing the opportunity to transition the way we travel and how we heat our homes.

“I will continue to support HyNet in their negotiations with the UK Government and look forward to further positive news in the years ahead.”