National and regional support for clean energy growth

The Government has put clean growth at the heart of its economic plans. As well as a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the government has pledged further support ports wishing to establish themselves as sustainable regional hubs.

The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan outlines steps to decarbonise the electricity grid, aiming to lower energy costs and enhance energy security. The plan emphasizes the importance of private investment in renewable energy projects and aims to create favourable conditions for such investments.

A new industrial strategy will include a clean energy sector plan designed to accelerate the UK’s shift towards a greener, more sustainable energy system, while boosting the economy and job market with new green technologies and investments. Decarbonising the energy sectors, investing in renewable energy, growing skills and jobs and opening up opportunities in carbon capture and storage are all top of the agenda.

Regional importance of the Port of Workington

The Clean Energy Strategy for Cumbria emphasises themes of net zero, productivity and inclusive growth. The two strategic priorities are clean energy generation and business decarbonisation. The clean growth priority covers: offshore wind; nuclear; and hydrogen production.

Areas of focus include the ambition to become a significant provider for new nuclear power, expanding offshore wind capacity and supporting Cumbrian ports in this, and establishing Cumbria for a UK hydrogen carbon storage industrial cluster development - similar to Hynet and East Coast.

The port’s ambitions also align closely with Cumbria’s Local Industrial Strategy, setting out its ambitions for world class career opportunities in (advanced) manufacturing and retaining and attracting talent.

Cumbria has excellent green energy resources and opportunities for new energy sources with a large and growing concentration of offshore wind energy, existing major biomass plants and a small but growing hydro sector.