Ed Miliband tells Chamber members Treasury holds key to unlocking billions of pounds worth of investment for Humber

Pictured with Ed Miliband are (from left) Jason Speedy, Dr Ian Kelly, Emma Hardy, Richard Gwilliam, Albert Weatherill and Diana Johnson.

THE Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce welcomed energy secretary Ed Miliband MP back to the Humber, two-and-a-half years after his previous visit to meet business leaders at the Chamber’s Hull headquarters.

In his opening remarks this time, the Energy Secretary thanked Hull MPs Dame Diana Johnson and Emma Hardy for their support, noting that during his last visit when he was a Shadow Minister, had been greatly impressed with how the whole business community had come together to try to improve energy infrastructure in the Humber, writes David Hooper.

This time, there was an even more powerful turnout of top executives who took it in turns to lay on the line how billions of pounds worth of investment and thousands of jobs could go elsewhere unless the Government can take the brakes off cleaning up the Humber’s C02 emissions and give the go-ahead for massive private sector investment in infrastructure and facilities which will help to provide the UK with energy security in the turbulent times in which we find ourselves.

Ed told the meeting he wants the Humber to become a clean energy superpower, to create energy security for future generations with a clarity of vision. He also outlined how the Government is trying to get rid of barriers in the way of planning, and increase catalytic public investment, drive forward his plans for GB Energy and create the conditions for private sector investment.

He acknowledged that the Government is facing big fiscal challenges and needs to get agreement on Track Two because it really matters to Acorn and Viking CCS projects in the North Sea and he underlined his commitment to them, noting he was trying to drive Government to recognise how important Net Zero is.

Dan Sadler, Equinor’s UK Director, highlighted that his company had a global ambition and the Humber has a unique set of assets in geology, industry and power and can provide a deep lift on transition.

The managing director of Centrica Energy Storage, Martin Scargill, was joined at the meeting by his Chief Executive, Chris O’Shea, who Ed welcomed as “renewables royalty”. Martyn told the meeting that Centrica had £2-billion to invest and were partnering with Equinor and would love to see the Humber be successful. We need the Government to take the brakes off now!

Paul Fursey, from Phillips 66 highlighted how businesses in the region were working on a lot of really good stuff like sustainable aviation fuel, electric battery technology, electric arc production and skills but needed grid connections and water supply for decarbonisation projects, but they were not getting much communication yet.

Ed Miliband taking notes during the discussion. Included in the picture with the MPs are Dan Sadler, Paul Fursey, Chris Girdham, Paul Jackson Martijn Gilbert, Martin Scargill, Chris O’Shea and Andrew Dawes.

Jason Speedy from Groupe Atlantic/Ideal Boilers highlighted that his business employs 1,500 people in Hull and they were about to open a new factory. He raised the issue of using a hydrogen mix for heating but noted that without a decision from Government manufacturers didn’t know which way to go and they were on the cusp of having to make decisions.

Ed Miliband said: “Meeting the Chamber’s people and hearing about all the investment that is ready to go is incredibly compelling, but most of these decisions are also made by the Treasury. I am a 100% supporter of the Humber and I’m fighting to get these things through, but I need stakeholders like the Chamber and the Humber Energy Board to work with me to lobby the Treasury.

“I realise that the Government is not going to make heat pumps work unless they do something to encourage take-up, and I also recognise that hydrogen has slowed down a bit and I know we have to move forward on this,” he said.

Lance Taylor, the chief executive of Able Group, told the meeting that Able has 10,551 acres of land to switch on Great British Energy. We have lots of contracts after 29 years of land collection. There was £3.4-billion of potential money for the Government and 7,000 jobs could be created. Able also sought a private meeting with Ed to progress investment, noting that they were also looking at building a 3 GW AI hyper-data centre.

Rob Fergie, from Ineos, said they were the lowest carbon producer in the world and have plans to cut their CO2 emissions by 72%. He highlighted that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) would help EVETS alignment and would level the playing field with the US. Ed agreed, noting the Government would do the CBAM in 2027 and would look at that, adding that it was a really important point.

Andrew Dawes from ABP highlighted that the Humber has shovel ready projects and investment standing by, but what can they do. His fear was the investment will go elsewhere if we don’t get the go-ahead for these projects soon. “There are a lot of people waiting to have that clarity – a level playing field is slipping away – we want to support, but what more can we do? he asked.

Ed promised the Chamber’s business leaders that he was doing his absolute best to drive this forward and that forward momentum and clarity is what is required. He noted there was a recognition in Government of the opportunity in the Humber and that is what we need.

The railways were also an issue raised by Martijn Gilbert, from Hull Trains, who highlighted the issue of rail electrification between Selby and Hull, noting his fleet of new bi-mode Hitachi trains were electrification ready and would help to decarbonise the Humber if this work could be completed promptly.