Great British Energy announcement
Thursday 25th July saw Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced the launch of Great British Energy.
Great British Energy seeks to generate publicly‑owned revenue to reinvest into future energy projects, creating long-term benefits for customers.
Peak Cluster is one of the UK’s leading low carbon industrial clusters which will decarbonise 40% of the UK’s cement and lime industry to give low carbon products as Britain builds back.
John Egan, Project Director for Peak Cluster said:
“Decarbonisation, not deindustrialisation. This is how Britain will transition to Net Zero. And with this, we welcome today’s announcement on Great British Energy.
Peak Cluster will use carbon capture and storage (CCS) to decarbonise 40% of the UK’s cement and lime industry – a vital step in the journey to Net Zero. Together with MNZ, potentially the UK’s biggest carbon dioxide store, we will capture, transport and store carbon dioxide to enable industry to continue its vital tasks while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and grow into new markets for sustainable products.
“The Labour Government is keen to utilise energy infrastructure to secure good jobs with good wages, make low carbon products in Britain, grow the UK’s supply chain and skills base to lead the global low carbon technology sector and secure private investment. Peak Cluster ticks every one of these boxes.
“We will work closely with Government to ensure that Peak Cluster and MNZ create a backbone of industrial decarbonisation opportunity within the that benefits our communities in the north of England – for the UK and beyond.”
Peak Cluster responds to recent Government Announcements
Over the last week, w/c 18th December 2023, the UK Government (HMT and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero) announced a series of updates surrounding carbon capture and other low carbon technologies. This includes the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
We welcomed the Treasury announcement this week of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) coming in 2027, with Peak Cluster’s reaction being included in the Government announcement.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-levy-to-level-carbon-pricing
Project Director, John Egan of Progressive Energy said:
"Starting by 2030, Peak Cluster will decarbonise 40% of the UK’s cement and lime production via carbon capture and storage (CCUS). We are therefore very pleased to hear Government's ongoing commitment in the CCUS Vision published today, with the intent for competitive allocation rounds from 2027. Today's news follows the announcement of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the start of this week. Together, this week's announcements will encourage investment in the decarbonisation of essential industry across the UK creating new jobs, safeguarding existing jobs and drastically reducing carbon emissions. We look forward to working together with DESNZ to deliver the CCUS Vision in 2024 and beyond."
Peak Cluster to provide £180 million annual economic boost
A new report shows that Peak Cluster will impact very positively on Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, delivering a £180m GVA boost each year.
Peak Cluster is an innovative collaboration to capture, transport and permanently store CO2 emissions from neighbouring industries and across Staffordshire and Cheshire. Peak Cluster will safeguard over 2,100 existing jobs.
Peak Cluster signs MoU with MNZ Cluster
The Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) Cluster, a planned carbon dioxide storage facility off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness, has today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore storage opportunities for CO2 captured by the Peak Cluster. Together, MNZ and Peak Cluster will accelerate the UK’s journey to net zero.
This will enable the production of low carbon cement - essential for the UK economy, safeguarding UK jobs, and the construction of vital infrastructure such as homes, hospitals and clean energy production.
Spirit Energy, the company leading a consortium to deliver the MNZ Cluster, will transform the depleted North and South Morecambe gas fields into a world-leading carbon storage facility.
Come and meet the project!
Come along and meet the team and discuss the project in greater detail.
➡️ Wednesday 24 May 2023 - Pavilion Gardens, Buxton -12pm-8pm
➡️ Thursday 1 June 2023 - Memorial Court, Northwich - 2pm-7pm
World-first project to create net zero cement and lime cluster in the Peak District
We're delighted to announce our new project, the Peak Cluster.
Peak Cluster has been initiated by five cement and lime plants in the Peak District and Staffordshire Moorlands, owned by Tarmac, Breedon, Lhoist and Aggregate Industries, together with the Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant in Cheshire.
Carbon dioxide emitted from the cement and concrete industry accounts for around a quarter of the total emissions in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. With 40% of all UK cement and lime manufactured in the Peak District and local area, the project has the potential to dramatically reduce the sector’s emissions to ensure the sustainable, net zero future of this essential industry.
Peak Cluster will accelerate the region’s journey to Net Zero, safeguarding jobs and protecting the wider supply chain.
Dr Diana Casey of the Mineral Products Association, Director Energy and Climate Change, said: “The launch of the Peak Cluster is an exciting and vital step forward in the journey of the cement and lime sectors towards net zero. The region is a historic heartland for cement and lime production providing highly skilled jobs for local communities, and a secure supply of essential materials to the UK economy."