Engagement Team in Action: Deeside Decarbonisation Forum reflections

Written by Tabby Hanlon-Scott (Sector Engagement Lead) 

Over the summer, I've been working hard to re-establish and expend in Wales. I've been fortunate to meet with some fantastic businesses and key stakeholders across the country who I look forward to working with more closely as we head into autumn.

Events are usually few and far between during the summer months, but in mid-August I attended the Deeside Decarbonisation Forum (DDF) and I came away feeling slightly mind-blown by the sheer scale of what is happening right on my doorstep in North Wales.

From carbon capture and hydrogen to tidal energy and cleaner industrial processes, it's clear that North Wales is a key player in the UK's low-carbon future.

Key projects on Net Zero

One project that stood out was Heidelber Materials' carbon capture scheme at Padeswood. The ambition to capture 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year and create the UK's first carbon-capture-enabled cement plant is impressive, especially for an industry that has historically been difficult to decarbonise.

It was also great to hear from Net Zero Industry Wales, which is bringing together industry, government, academia, and other partners to help Welsh businesses navigate the journey to net zero. Collaboration was a recurring theme throughout the day and it's clear that no single organisation can deliver this transition alone.

Wrexham University spoke about its role in helping employers develop the skills required for the transition and ensuring that their courses align with industry priorities and needs. I was particularly interested to hear about its degree apprenticeship programmes and the financial support available through the Welsh Government. It highlighted the importance of being placed on developing the workforce needed to support this transition from the top. 

People are the key to success

In reality, skills were at the heart of the whole discussion. Every project highlighted ultimately relies on having the right talent in place. As investment continues to flow into the region, there's a real opportunity to connect local people with the jobs being created, provided they have access to the skills and training needed for these opportunities.

For me, that was one of the biggest takeaways from the day: the infrastructure and investment may be the headline, but people will ultimately determine how successful this transition is.

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