Solent Cluster's sustainability drive could secure 70k new jobs

Over 70,000 jobs could be secured, including the creation of over 18,000 new skilled jobs, as part of a potential £11.9bn economic boost, driven by decarbonisation in the Solent region.

These benefits are identified in a socioeconomic report launched at an event to mark the one-year anniversary of The Solent Cluster, which was formed to lead the region’s ambitions to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Anne-Marie Mountifield, chair of The Solent Cluster who spoke at the launch, said: “Decarbonisation will be a catalyst for transformative change as we seek to propel the region into a new era of sustainable growth. The importance of identifying the potential for thousands of new jobs and billions in investment, cannot be underestimated.”

The report not only looks at the potential economic and environmental impact of the Cluster’s vision for the Solent region, but also the skills and education focus needed to enable the development of specific decarbonisation projects.

The Solent Cluster socioeconomic report identifies potential across the following key areas:

Sustaining employment: Sustain 70,000 jobs, providing a robust employment landscape that could foster economic resilience in the Solent region.

Job Growth: Potential creation of 18,900 jobs by 2035.

Strategic Investment: Potential investment of almost £12 billion, signalling a commitment to the region’s infrastructure and economic growth.

Economic Contribution: Over £4.4 billion of potential gross value added to the economy by 2035, underlining the Solent region’s vital contribution to the UK economy.

Carbon Capture Potential: The Solent region has the capacity to potentially capture and safely store up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually.

Speakers at the event included Paul Greenwood, Chairman of Esso UK, Councillor Jill Cleary, Leader of New Forest District Council and Fergus Tickell, Hydrogen Solutions Lead at SGN.

The Solent Cluster saw many of its 100 members join industry leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders, at the event which provided further opportunity for collaboration and partnership.

The Solent Cluster is the only project of its kind in the region and is backed by companies with the technical expertise and global track record of delivering cost-effective low carbon solutions. This effort could position the Solent at the centre of low carbon fuel production in the UK and make a major contribution to the country’s Net Zero ambitions by 2050.