The UK sits on a potential energy goldmine. The British Geological Survey estimates the nation could store up to 3,000 TWh of hydrogen – a staggering figure dwarfing the 60-100 TWh that the Royal Society said would be needed by 2050.
The Labour Government has now been in power for eight weeks. With this has come a renewed sense of hope for net-zero, energised by the Government’s desire to hit the ground running and launch in quick succession, amongst others, the removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind, the National Wealth Fund, Great British Energy, and the ‘superhighway’ Eastern Green Link 2 project.
Significant progress was made in establishing a competitive hydrogen sector in 2023, but industry leaders say "it all hinges" on decisions made in 2024.
Hydrogen UK has appointed executives from Ørsted and Centrica to serve as co-vice presidents of the trade association.
Jobs, investment and confidence are all at risk, warned a plethora of industry bodies and campaign groups.
The UK government needs to act now if it wants to be a world leader in the hydrogen sector, industry leaders from Shell and Hydrogen UK have said.
Hydrogen UK share what to watch in the hydrogen sector in the coming 12 months.
Hydrogen UK has laid out its key asks of government as it tries to ensure Britain “secures a slice” of the $2.5 trillion hydrogen pie.
A top hydrogen industry figure has urged the UK to “keep the foot on the gas” to accelerate the development of the sector.
Hydrogen UK is eyeing further growth after adding a baker’s dozen to its membership in recent months.
“This is not a free-for-all of ‘let’s have hydrogen at any cost’,” insists Angela Needle, vice president of trade body Hydrogen UK and strategic director at gas network Cadent.