THE Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has given its backing for Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ), a major carbon capture storage facility redeploying depleted gas fields in Barrow.

The project, which is being put forward by Spirit Energy, will place an emphasis on investment, green skills, and jobs, and make an important contribution to the UK’s net zero ambition.

Lord Inglewood, Chair of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), heralded the project's potential at a House of Lords reception he hosted this week.

He was joined by speakers Neil McCulloch, Chief Executive of Spirit Energy, and Simon Fell, MP for Barrow.

It is projected that the cluster could have the capacity to store up to one gigaton of CO₂ - equal to roughly three years worth of CO₂ at the UK's current emissions rate.

Attendees heard that its location close to the Port of Barrow would mean that tankers would be able to ship CO₂ from industry in South Wales, the Solent, and other areas of the UK to the storage facility in Morecambe Bay.

Lord Inglewood, Chair of the Cumbria LEP, said: "The event highlighted what an exceptional opportunity this is for Cumbria, from job opportunities to attracting private investment, Morecambe has massive potential to deliver on both the region’s and the UK’s net zero ambitions. 

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"It is great to see a project of this scale being developed in Barrow. Cumbria is already a powerhouse for clean energy generation, creating almost six per cent of the UK’s output."

Neil McCulloch, Chief Executive of Spirit Energy said: "We are proud to be leading the effort to repurpose the Morecambe Bay gas fields into a world-leading carbon storage facility and securing its long-term future for decades to come.

"We are currently at a pivotal stage of the project, as we look to participate in the Government's competitive process for cluster selection."

It is estimated that purposing the gas fields will create at least 6,400 new, highly skilled green jobs, which will provide a vital, long-term boost to communities across Cumbria and the whole of the northwest, promoting growth and further investment across the region.