NOF, the UK business development and membership organisation for the energy sector, is increasing its focus and presence in the Humber and East Yorkshire’s role in the energy transition, following its first board meeting of 2023.
Held at px Group’s Saltend Chemicals Park near Hull, the meeting, which also included a tour of the site, highlighted the opportunities for NOF members to contribute to the region’s activities in areas such as hydrogen, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and offshore wind.
It will host a series of supply chain events and activities, including project updates, meet-the-buyer events and networking sessions throughout 2023. These activities will provide companies looking to enter or expand their presence in the region with the opportunities to engage with major operators and contractors in Humber and East Yorkshire.
NOF has been active in the Humber region for several years, working closely with its strategic partners from the developer, operator contractor communities who have projects in the area.
NOF will also continue to work with key stakeholders within the East Coast Cluster, comprising of Zero Carbon Humber and Net Zero Teesside
The anchor project for Zero Carbon Humber is H2H Saltend, which will be located at Saltend Chemicals Park, which is owned and operated by px Group. At 370 acres, the park is a Top Tier COMAH site on the banks of the Humber with huge potential for further investment.
H2H comprises a large scale auto thermal reformer with carbon capture to convert natural gas to hydrogen. This will enable businesses on the site switch from gas to blue hydrogen and will initially reduce emissions from the park by nearly one million tonnes of CO2 per year with further gains expected.
One of the area’s other major developments is the National Grid’s Humber Low Carbon Pipelines project, which is at the heart of the Zero Carbon Humber vision.
It aims to deliver new onshore pipeline infrastructure to transport the captured carbon emissions from the region’s industrial emitters for safe storage in the North Sea.
In addition, the Humber region is continuing to grow its position as a major offshore wind hub, with Siemens Gamesa planning to expand its blade manufacturing site, while GRI Renewable Industries confirming it will build facilities at Able Marine Energy Park on the South Bank of the Humber.
Joanne Leng MBE, chief executive of NOF, said: “The Humber and the East Yorkshire region are of fundamental importance to the UK energy sector. Its proactive strategy to decarbonise its industrial assets alongside supporting the UK’s wide energy transition will require innovative and technology-led supply chain companies, which can engage with companies in the region to achieve their low carbon objectives.
“We will continue to work closely with our members to help them access opportunities in the region while working in close collaboration with operators and lead contractors to assist them with their supply chain development programmes.”
Patrick Pogue, Group Director Growth & Innovation at px Group, said: “We were delighted to host NOF’s board at our Saltend facility. It gave them the opportunity to understand first hand how we are embracing the energy transition, but also allowed us to gain valuable insight from their own areas of the energy sector, which can be applied to our activities.
“As an NOF board member myself, I recognise the importance of the role the organisation plays in driving forward the energy transition. The UK has a strong and diverse supply chain, which can make a significant contribution to meeting ne-zero targets in areas such as the Humber region.”