South Wales Industry - A Plan for Clean Growth

Lead Participant: CR PLUS LIMITED

Abstract

The South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC) is a diverse mix of critical industry that have come together to collaboratively achieve common objectives for decarbonisation and clean growth delivering job security. The regions diverse industrial base presents both common and unique challenges. Sectors represented include steel/oil-refining/power/ paper/Nickel/insulation/chemicals/LNG import/Royal-Mint/general-manufacturing.

SWIC aims to progress a cluster plan driven by a vision of "developing a world leading truly sustainable industry befitting the societal needs of 2030, 2040, 2050 and beyond" incorporating a circular economy revolution leading to a smarter, greener, and healthier society.

SWIC's goal is NZC by 2040\. Current carbon emissions are 16MtCO2/y (5% of UK emissions), comprising 10MTCO2/y direct from industry and 6MTCO2/y from power generation. Achieving NZC will provide a significant contribution to the UK's goal of becoming net zero by 2050\. NZC must be realised in the broader context of 'People, Planet and Profit', achieving truly sustainable clean growth, within a globally competitive market, maintaining a growing, clean vibrant and diverse industrial sector region with potentially 40,000+ new jobs arising.

The Phase-2 work will continue to define NZC options for all types of members including two of the largest industrial UK CO2 emitters plus many other large emitting sites from diverse sectors spread across the whole region. Phase2 will identify the best low carbon energy options that will work for multiple industry users and define distinctive 'mini-clusters' in the region. This will inform and assist planning for significant local and regional infrastructure. The 4 coastal 'mini-clusters' will connect the largest CO2 emitters, creating opportunities for carbon capture and use in addition connections to UK carbon storage facilities. Low carbon energy infrastructure including renewables and hydrogen will also be developed. (Q3-appendix).

SWIC Plans centre around a 5 stepped approach to NZC, 5 spatial zone types will allow SWIC to take immediate steps toward NZC with a low chance of incurring "Regret Capital". As well as targeting a NZC cluster by 2040, this plan focuses on societal needs, circular economy and clean growth aspirations of the region, tackling the common and unique commercial & operational challenges facing SW industry.

SWIC will work with other UK cluster regions to optimise decarbonisation outcomes.

Specialist energy consultancy CR Plus are leading the project supported by a wide breadth 20+ key partners. Phase2 represents an opportunity to coalesce efforts, cement a direction and to further scope and define the action required to achieve the SWIC vision.

Publications

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