A major carbon capture initiative is set to transform the cement and lime industries in the Peak District, with the creation of thousands of jobs across the Midlands and North West of England. The £59.6 million Peak Cluster project aims to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from cement and lime factories in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and the North West, transporting it via pipeline to be stored in depleted gas fields beneath the Irish Sea.
The project, described as the world’s largest cement decarbonisation effort, is expected to generate around 300 permanent jobs and support over 2,000 roles in cement and lime production. In addition, approximately 1,200 temporary positions will be created during the construction phase. Together with the Morecambe Net Zero carbon storage project, the initiatives are anticipated to support up to 13,000 jobs across the region.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which prevents CO2 from entering the atmosphere, is seen as a vital part of the UK’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions. The Peak Cluster project will significantly reduce emissions from the cement and lime sectors, which are among the hardest to decarbonise due to their high CO2 output. The scheme is expected to prevent more than three million tonnes of CO2 from being released each year.
The government has committed £28.6 million from the National Wealth Fund (NWF), with additional funding from private sector partners, including Holcim, Tarmac, Breedon, and Progressive Energy. The initiative is part of the UK’s broader push to build a resilient carbon capture industry, with further investments in sectors such as hydrogen, electric vehicle supply chains, and steel.
The Peak Cluster project is also seen as a catalyst for the UK’s clean energy transition, driving job creation and economic growth in the industrial heartlands. It is expected to help modernise the cement and lime industries, positioning the UK as a global leader in carbon capture technology.
