Solent Cluster hails over £1m of funding to reduce emissions

A successful funding bid from The Solent cluster in a competition means the region is set to receive more than £1 million for its decarbonisation plans.

The cash is part of the local industrial decarbonisation plans competition, for up to £6 million for projects across the UK, run by government in partnership with Innovate UK (IUK) and winners included The Solent Cluster collaboration.

READ MORE: The Solent Cluster welcomes £20bn Spring Budget carbon capture announcement

The collaboration is in line for up to £757,601, which along with matched contributions from members, will result in a total of £1,032,540 earmarked for the development of a comprehensive plan to decarbonise the Solent region.

"The success of this funding bid demonstrates how The Solent Cluster has brought together a collaboration of innovative and diverse members with a shared ambition which will benefit our region for many years to come," said Anne-Marie Mountifield, chair of The Solent Cluster

"We have the potential to affect real change in energy production and consumption which will, in turn, secure existing livelihoods and create new green jobs, support energy resilience and affordability, and ensure the UK is at the forefront of the emerging low-carbon economy."

Minister for energy efficiency and green finance, Lord Callanan, who visited the solent to announce the winning projects, said: "Reducing emissions from industry in every corner of the UK will be essential for us to reach net zero."

He added: "I look forward to seeing The Solent Cluster’s plans to cut its carbon footprint, create green jobs and grow the local economy."

Whitehall has also announced plans to open a new phase of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund later this month with a further £185 million, which will help companies transform their operations to run on cleaner, more secure energy – backing measures such as replacing inefficient equipment, installing electric furnaces and switching to hydrogen.

The Solent Cluster comprises industry leaders, global organisations, universities and local government.

They aim to work together to create a low carbon future to benefit the local economy, the region and the UK.

The partners developing the Solent Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan are Ada Mode, Enoflex, ExxonMobil, Geo Specialty Chemicals, Solent Partners, SSE Solutions, StandardAero, University of Southampton and Veolia.

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