Spirit Energy project brings job security to Barrow

Spirit Energy project brings job security to Barrow

12th AprilBUSINESSENVIRONMENT

By Alex Whilding@Alexwxm99AI Assisted ReporterShare

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, visited Spirit Energy's Barrow gas terminal for an update on the multi-billion-pound Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) project.

The MNZ is a planned carbon storage facility located off the coast of Barrow which has the potential to convert the North and South Morecambe gas fields as they near the end of their productive life.

It is projected to become one of the most significant carbon stores in the UK and Europe.

MNZ aims to accumulate one gigatonne of CO₂ over its lifetime, transforming the depleted gas fields.

Spirit Energy has been operating Morecambe Bay's gas fields for more than five decades and currently hires more than 300 people.

As the fields approach depletion, this project offers economic investment and continued job security, with the creation of new skilled green roles in Barrow also anticipated.

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The storage facility offers a permanent decarbonisation solution to industrial emitters across the UK.

It aids them in reducing their emissions, extending their lifespan, and guaranteeing the future of thousands of jobs in carbon-intensive sectors.

MNZ is already in partnership with the Peak Cluster consortium.

This allows cement and lime manufacturers at the UK construction industry's core to gain access to carbon storage, assisting them in achieving net zero goals while protecting around 2,000 skilled manufacturing jobs.

Mr Fell said: "It’s been fantastic to visit the Barrow Gas Terminal today to see the MNZ site and hear how the project is progressing.

"Not only will MNZ breathe new life into these important gas fields, securing the future of those jobs already reliant on them, but it will create hundreds of new local jobs, and place Barrow at the forefront of some really exciting low-carbon innovation."

Spirit Energy recently achieved a significant milestone for its MNZ project by acquiring a seismic survey vessel for a scope of work in the East Irish Sea.

The survey began last month and will obtain and process approximately 500 square kilometres of high-resolution 3D seismic data over the Morecambe Bay gas fields.

Neil McCulloch, CEO of Spirit Energy, said: "We are pleased to welcome Simon Fell MP to the Barrow terminal and to update him on the project’s latest milestones.

"MNZ will be a world-leading carbon capture project that will support the UK’s net zero transition by providing a cost-effective decarbonisation solution to industrial heartlands across the country, while generating economic growth and creating thousands of jobs in Barrow, Cumbria and across the North West more widely."