Hull & East Yorkshire and Tees Valley team up for regional energy opportunity
Funding of up to £30m is being lined up to accelerate clean energy innovation and industrial resilience across the regions, as part of the government’s wider £86bn R&D settlement through to 2030.
The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority have been selected to progress under the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, operated by UK Research and Innovation.
The move unlocks the opportunity to secure up to £30m in public funding, aimed at catalysing private investment, scaling industrial decarbonisation, and supporting high-value job creation.
The joint Humber-Tees Valley programme will focus on commercialising technologies including hydrogen, carbon capture, and sustainable aviation fuel, alongside offshore wind.
The initiative is designed to translate existing regional strengths. particularly in ports, Freeport zones, and energy infrastructure, into deployable projects, new manufacturing capacity, and expanded supply chains.
The Humber cluster already accounts for around one-third of the UK’s offshore wind capacity and benefits from established hydrogen production and carbon storage capabilities.
Further projects in the pipeline include the likes of National Gas’ ambitions for a 300 mile East Coast hydrogen pipeline, connecting the key industrial regions of Teesside, Yorkshire, and the East Midlands.
Stakeholders argue this industrial base provides a strong platform for further investment, particularly as demand grows for low-carbon energy and decarbonised industrial processes.
The funding process has now moved into a competitive development phase, with regional partners working alongside UKRI to refine a pipeline of projects targeting the investment.
If successful, the programme is expected to support large-scale infrastructure schemes, skills development initiatives, and business-led innovation, with a focus on improving industrial resilience and productivity.
Key delivery partners include the University of Hull, the Humber Energy Board, Humber Freeport, CATCH UK, and the University of Lincoln.
The University of Hull is expected to play a central role, leveraging assets such as its Aura Innovation Centre and UKRI-backed doctoral training programmes in offshore wind.
A final decision on the allocation of the £30m funding is expected following the next stage of assessment.
Liz Kendall, UK science and technology secretary, said: “It is a tribute to the pioneering spirit in every corner of our country that we are backing nations and regions across the UK to advance innovation in everything from defence to AI and clean energy to space tech.
“Across East Yorkshire, Hull, and Tees Valley, the funding will back clean energy innovation, building on these regions’ industrial strengths to support jobs and growth.
“By working with local leaders, researchers, and businesses, we can unleash transformational research and products that improve lives.”
Luke Campbell, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said: “The Humber has an important role in the UK’s energy system, and this is an opportunity to build on that strength.
“We look forward to continuing to work with our local partners, alongside Tees Valley Combined Authority, to bring in new investment, drive growth and create more high-skilled jobs across the region.”
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, said: “Tees Valley, Hull, and East Yorkshire have long been home to world class ingenuity and a proud tradition of delivering real impact from great ideas.
“UKRI is delighted to work with Hull and East Yorkshire and Tees Valley as they accelerate bold plans to build on that legacy and drive the region’s next wave of innovation led growth.
“By bringing together the region’s researchers, entrepreneurs and civic leaders, we are strengthening East Yorkshire and Tees Valley’s distinctive capabilities and championing its ambition on the national stage.
“This major investment will unlock new opportunities, boost productivity and create the high skilled jobs of the future. We’re excited at the prospect of achieving that together.”
