A NEW community benefit fund has been launched to support areas surrounding the Hynet carbon capture project.
The fund will support communities hosting the Liverpool Bay CO2 Transportation and Storage (T&S) infrastructure, part of the HyNet industrial cluster.
The Liverpool Bay CCS Limited Community Benefit Fund is a voluntary initiative designed to deliver long-term investment in areas surrounding the T&S infrastructure, which serves as the backbone of the HyNet project.
The Liverpool Bay CCS project will transport captured CO2 from industrial emitters in the North West of England and North Wales for permanent storage in depleted gas reservoirs beneath the seabed.
The Hynet project involves the construction of a 26km underground pipeline from Elton, Cheshire to the Point of Ayr gas terminal in Talacre.
Carbon captured from industry in Cheshire West and Flintshire will be transferred along the pipeline, before moving to a platform in the Douglas oil and gas field in the Irish Sea where it will be pumped into depleted oil and gas reservoirs, rather than released into the atmosphere.
The fund will support not-for-profit organisations across Cheshire and Flintshire, focusing on education, environmental projects, and the celebration of local heritage and culture.
Martin McCluskey, Minister for Local Energy and Jobs, said: "Carbon capture is a route to reindustrialisation and tackling the climate crisis, and this project is reigniting the proud industrial heritage across the North West of England and North Wales through skilled, well-paid jobs in clean energy.
"We’re determined that local areas benefit from hosting national infrastructure and this fund will support local priorities from education to the environment, driving good growth in every postcode."
The fund will be administered in partnership with Cheshire Community Foundation and Community Foundation Wales.
It is designed to complement broader economic, employment, and investment opportunities already being created through the T&S infrastructure.
Adam Price, Welsh Government Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said: "The Liverpool Bay CCS project has the potential to drive industrial decarbonisation and economic growth across north-east Wales, creating jobs and supply chain opportunities.
"I welcome the launch of the Community Benefit Fund, which will help local communities share in the long-term benefits of this significant investment."
Stefano Rovelli, managing director for Liverpool Bay CCS Limited, said: "The launch of the Liverpool Bay CCS Community Benefit Fund is an important milestone for our Transportation and Storage project.
"We understand the importance of creating meaningful and long-lasting benefits for the communities in which we operate, and this fund showcases our commitment to the region."
The project is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs during construction and 200 to 300 long-term roles.
More information on the grants, and how to apply, can be found at https://shorturl.at/l57dj
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