New Energy Today Issue 106 - 2026 | Page 64

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VPI’ s investment alone is expected to be more than £ 1.5 billion. At peak construction, we expect around 1500 jobs in the area
difficult to replicate,” says Jonathan Briggs, VPI’ s Director of Development and Delivery, who is leading the project.“ VPI’ s investment alone is expected to be more than £ 1.5 billion. At peak construction, we expect around 1500 jobs in the area, alongside around 50 permanent roles over the longer term. It is also a major opportunity for the UK supply chain, with around 70-to-80 percent of project requirements expected to be sourced from British companies.” That means high-value work for British contractors across areas such as pumps, piping, and welding, as well as engineering and project management.
Across the wider Humber cluster, the prize is larger still, with around £ 3 billion investment and up to 18,000 jobs safeguarded across the region at its peak. For people starting their career in power, like Ciara Foran, one of VPI’ s graduates, that presents exciting prospects for the future.“ I moved to Hull last year after studying chemical engineering in Sheffield because it was clear the Humber was becoming the place to build a future in energy. The region’ s traditional industries are evolving, and new projects like Humber Zero are creating opportunities you simply don’ t find in many other parts of the country,” Ciara explains.
Ready to go
Over the last six years, Harbour Energy, Phillips 66, and VPI have developed projects that work together commercially and
◀ Jonathan Briggs
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