Background and Experience
Matt Browell-Hook is the Energy Transition Director for Spirit Energy, responsible for the development and delivery of the Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) project.

A pioneering decarbonisation solution, MNZ involves repurposing depleted gas fields into a world-leading carbon storage facility, capable of storing up to a gigaton of CO₂ over its lifetime.

Matt has more than two decades’ experience in the energy sector and is a chartered engineer, a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the Association for Project Management.

The Potential of Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ)
MNZ aims to provide a permanent decarbonisation solution, converting the depleted South and North Morecambe gas fields for permanent and secure carbon storage.

Browell-Hook said: “Spirit Energy has operated the South Morecambe and North Morecambe sites for almost 40 years.
“When the fields are no longer producing gas, they have the potential to safely store carbon dioxide deep underground and form the future core of a low carbon North West hub.”

MNZ has partnered with Peak Cluster – comprising five of the leading cement and lime producers in the UK – to decarbonise 40% of the UK cement and lime industry. This can ensure almost four million tonnes of CO₂ emissions captured from vital businesses within the Peak Cluster can be permanently stored by MNZ annually from 2030.

The MNZ | Peak Cluster project is set to generate the equivalent of £1.8bn Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2050, creating and safeguarding more than 13,000 jobs and attracting a further £5bn of national and international investment in construction and associated operations. It will also provide a combined annual increase of £154m in skills uplift and wage increases.

To find out more about MNZ, visit the Spirit Energy website.

Net Zero North West Vision
Matt is adamant the North West possesses the capabilities to become a world-leader in decarbonisation.
With a particular focus on cement decarbonisation, through the Spirit Energy and Peak Cluster partnership, Matt is excited by the possibilities of the region.

Browell-Hook said: “The North West has huge potential to be at the forefront of energy security and decarbonisation.
“MNZ | Peak Cluster is the world’s largest cement decarbonisation project and, coupled with the growth potential beyond that, we will materially impact global levels of decarbonisation. The North West sits at the heart of these efforts.”

Obstacles and Challenges
Matt believes there is an urgent need for legislative change within Government to achieve the targets of Net Zero by 2050.
“For MNZ, the primary obstacles are regulatory and policy making. We have a world class decarbonisation project that will achieve up to 50% of UK government targets for carbon storage by 2050 but we must keep developing the project allocation and licensing rounds beyond Track-1 [Sequencing Cluster Process] to meet the 2030 and 2035 goals in the lead up to Net Zero in 2050.”

An Exciting Future
For Matt, a dad to three young children, there is a personal desire to be part of the decarbonisation solution.
He added: “The North West has such a huge part to play in shaping a better future not only for ourselves, but for our children and future generations across the globe.
“I passionately believe we have the skills, talent, diversity and desire to achieve the solutions the world needs, and I’m excited to play a part in us getting there.”

To find out more about Matt Browell-Hook and Spirit Energy, visit their website.