Following concerns raised by constituents, Delyn MP Rob Roberts met with the team behind the HyNet North West project, to find out more about their work and how it will impact the local area.
The HyNet North West project will play a major role in the area's decarbonisation agenda, aiming to cut the region’s carbon emissions by 25% in five years. The project will do this by safely capturing, transporting, and storing CO2, before eventually producing clean hydrogen.
The team explained to Rob that the first stage of the project will focus on developing a CO2 pipeline, which will capture CO2 from the Ince and Stanlow area. The pipeline will then safely transport CO2 through Cheshire and Flintshire, to be stored in depleted gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay. The CO2 pipeline is comprised of 2 parts – the construction of a new underground pipeline, which then connects to the existing natural gas pipeline at a location near Flint.
Currently, the team are considering the most appropriate route for the new CO2 pipeline and have narrowed it down to two, Option G and Option I. While these routes have been suggested as being the most suitable in the company’s initial research, there are some variations within the routes such as how the routes connect into the existing pipeline. Therefore, the team have launched a consultation to hear local residents views about the proposed routes and variations.
In the meeting, Rob also heard how the project will be a major source of employment for the region, with the project aiming to create over 6000 new jobs, as well as protecting existing manufacturing and construction jobs.
With the UK Government focussing on how we can both build back better and greener, projects such as these will be vital in the UK’s green industrial revolution. It will also help put North Wales on the map as a highly attractive location for green and sustainable investment, building on other green projects such as the Mostyn Tidal Lagoon.
Most importantly, Rob welcomed the open approach the project is taking, with the public consultation now active to gather feedback on the first stage of the scheme. The team are also hosting webinars to inform local residents about the project and have sent letters to households in Flintshire who will be in close proximity to the pipeline. To read a copy of the letter, click below.
Commenting on the project, Rob said:
“Part of my role as a local MP is ensuring my constituents are made aware and kept up to date about local news and projects which may impact them and their communities.
“After meeting with the organisations behind the project and hearing for myself about the proposed pipeline, I would encourage all of my constituents to learn more and share their views – both positive and negative.
"The project is currently running a public consultation and are also hosting several webinars, so there are plenty of opportunities for local residents to ensure their voices are heard.”
To find out more about the project and to share your views, head to the HyNet Hub website - www.hynethub.co.uk. The Hub contains useful information on their Home page, and then has two opportunities for residents to share their views in the consultation – through an interactive feedback map and a short form.
The deadline for consultation responses is 11th July 2021.
If you have any concerns or queries about the project which you'd like to raise directly, please get in touch at - rob.roberts.mp@parliament.uk.