World-leading collaborations creating a network that will decarbonise the South Coast region and beyond.

The Solent Cluster brings together private, public and non-governmental organisations who wish to collaborate to decarbonise the Solent region and beyond. Our members include international energy producers with proven expertise in CCS and hydrogen technology, global manufacturers and engineering companies, regional businesses and industries, energy providers, leading logistics and infrastructure operators, academic institutions and public sector organisations.

Working together The Solent Cluster will

  • Make a major contribution to the UK’s move to Net Zero
  • Decarbonise the Solent region and beyond now and for the future
  • Secure existing jobs and livelihoods and bring new jobs and investment for the benefit of our local community and the wider region
  • Help the UK remain competitive while supporting energy resilience, fuel security and affordability.

The Solent Cluster founding members Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, ExxonMobil, the University of Southampton and it’s 80 plus members will help drive and implement the first major decarbonisation initiative that would substantially reduce CO₂ emissions from industry, transport and households across the Solent and Southern England.

“Decarbonisation is at the heart of our economic strategy for the area and the The Solent Cluster will enable us to pioneer approaches to climate change adaptation and decarbonisation, linked to our coastal setting, and establish real expertise which other regions – nationally and globally – can learn from”.

Anne-Marie Mountifield, chief executive of Solent Local Enterprise Partnership

“This is a compelling project and an important opportunity to decarbonise the Solent Region, and we are proud to be a part of this collaborative effort to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from multiple sectors”.

Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions

“It will introduce sustainable fuels for local transportation, the aviation and the shipping sectors; create low carbon energy to heat homes, businesses and public buildings; and open up new highly skilled jobs opportunities”.

Dr. Lindsay-Marie Armstrong, associate professor of mechanical engineering and academic cluster lead for the Solent Industrial Decarbonisation Cluster at University of Southampton

Our Members

Over 80 organisations have already signed up to support the formation of the cluster, spanning the public, private and higher education sectors. They include port, shipping and airport operators, aerospace, manufacturing and logistics companies, an international energy company with proven expertise in hydrogen and carbon capture and storage technologies, as well as local councils, universities and other stakeholders working towards a lower carbon future.

Helping to enable Net Zero emissions by 2050

The Solent Cluster and its members have ambitious, achievable plans to decarbonise our local economy and help deliver a Net Zero future for our region and the UK. Together they will create a network that will produce, store, and distribute hydrogen to decarbonise the South Coast region and beyond.

Why do we need this initiative?

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.