HICP Event Review -Industrial Decarbonisation Network

A summary of events that took place at the Industrial Decarbonisation Network meeting on the 28th April - with BEIS and Philips 66

Industrial Decarbonisation Network - 28th April 2021

A summary of events that took place at the Industrial Decarbonisation Network meeting on the 28th April - with BEIS and Philips 66

The Humber Industrial Cluster Plan hosted their Industrial Decarbonisation Network on the 28th of April

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Chairman David Talbot set the scene for the meeting, which saw over 80 delegates attend blended, in-person, and online. David welcomed Sam White from BEIS, who presented the UK government's Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy.  The Strategy, which has been hailed by the UK government as the first of its kind in the world, was published on the 17th March and sets out the pace of change, what technology is required and what policies are needed to enable the industry to achieve the ambitious targets.  Sam highlighted how important decarbonisation was for Jobs, GVA, and industry to thrive in the UK and that the Climate Change Committee was very happy to see the policy published as it met the target of issuing a policy in Q1 2021.

Sam talked about how the next decade was extremely important to lay the foundations – to make sure that policy, demand, and procurement solutions were in place along with making sure we have the right skills. The strategy aims to have emissions reduced by two-thirds by 2025 and by 90% by 2050.

Next, he discussed pathways, both as industrial clusters and a UK-wide solution. Sam highlighted that both structures are possible, but a biomass strategy coupled with CCUS to create negative emissions is seen as a powerful solution.   Sam finished the presentation by advising the group that there are a number of consultations happening in the near future such as a Hydrogen Strategy and a net-zero strategy which will bring together a sectorial strategy – and opinions are very welcome. A full and vibrant discussion followed with Sam.

After a short break, Mike Wailes, Director, European Strategy – Phillips 66 updated the group in regards to the P66 Refinery of the Future.

Mike discussed how low and zero carbon feedstocks, industrial process, and CCUS and Hydrogen means that ambitious targets can be met.  The company produces EV battery coke and is Europe’s only producer of specialty synthetic graphite, including graphite electrode battery coke, which is supporting the development of a UK-based electric vehicle supply chain.


They also produce a high-value specialist product - Low carbon liquid fuel.  The project was highly complex and involved upgrading existing assets which enabled them to triple capacity in 2020 after a major investment. They are also working on a number of new feeds and products.  Mike then discussed the Humber Zero and Gigastack projects and how they are supporting both. Further cementing their commitment to a net-zero future.

Finally, Jonathan Oxley – HICP project manager, based at the new Hull & East Yorkshire LEP, introduced the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan to delegates and updated the group on project developments, the first couple of months have been about setting the foundations, stakeholder engagement and presenting a HICP brand and website, which will be launched soon.  The HICP has a number of roles to fill including a stakeholder engagement manager, data manager and a project coordinator.  We soon will be putting our first output to tender, procuring a energy systems model to help us look at various scenarios and map out how to decarbonise the Humber by 2040.

The next Industrial Decarbonisation meeting takes place on the 15th  July. 

The next Hydrogen meeting takes place on the 9th June.

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