Northern Endurance Partnership reports £2.1bn in UK supplier contracts

The Northern Endurance Partnership has revealed that it has awarded more than £2.1 billion to UK suppliers for its carbon capture and storage infrastructure. The partnership’s inaugural progress and impact report indicates that these contracts are supporting the creation of over 3,000 jobs in the Teesside region. Additionally, the initiative is facilitating the entry of 175 young people into the clean energy sector through funded qualifications and training programmes.

The financial figures encompass both the construction of the NEP infrastructure and the development of NZT Power. This gas-fired power station is designated as the core emitter for the track one winning project. According to the report, 300 UK subcontracts have been secured to date. The partnership asserts that more than half of the supply chain content for these projects is being sourced domestically. This domestic procurement strategy is credited with driving the significant employment growth observed throughout the construction phase of both major developments.

Richard Mortimer, director and chairman of the board, stated that the projects are acting as a catalyst for a new age of industrialisation. He noted that the infrastructure offers an early indication of how carbon capture and storage can underpin reindustrialisation across the country. Mortimer added that replicating this model nationally could help anchor existing industries while creating conditions for new industrial investment and supply chain growth. He emphasised that key steps now lie ahead, including adding more projects to the Teesside network and progressing the next phase of the East Coast Cluster in the Humber.

The report also provided an update on the Humber Expansion project. Recent economic modelling suggests that a Humber CCS pipeline presents a clear opportunity to build on the successes achieved in Teesside. The NEP’s own research indicates that such a pipeline could deliver £3 billion of UK gross value added during construction. Once operational, it is projected to support around 1,800 full-time equivalent jobs annually. Furthermore, approximately £1.2 billion in contracts could be placed with UK suppliers from the CCS pipeline alone.

Operational milestones have been achieved in recent months. Offshore construction for the transport and storage project is currently underway. The first sections of pipe, intended to transport gas from projects across Teesside and the Humber to the Endurance saline aquifer, have arrived at the Saipem Logistics facility. The aquifer is located around 75 kilometres off the coast. Meanwhile, the NZT Power project reached a significant milestone this month with the arrival of the gas turbine on Teesside, ahead of its installation.