Call to hasten conversion of gas network to hydrogen

The chief executive of Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), Mike Foster, is calling on the Prime Minister cut the UK’s dependance on Russian gas by bringing forward the announcement to convert the natural gas network to hydrogen.

The government previously stated this decision would take place in 2026, but given the international crisis around Ukraine, Mike Foster believes such an announcement now would send a clear signal that the UK is moving away from natural gas.

The Prime Minister had previously said that the government was ready to take “a big punt” on hydrogen and has since indicated he is favourable to more ambitious targets for hydrogen production.

“The only way to stop bullies like Putin, using his natural gas sales to fund his military, is to stop buying his gas,” says Mike Foster. “Bringing forward the announcement about converting the gas network to hydrogen is something the Prime Minister can do tomorrow.

“Europe is waking up to a hydrogen future as a way of dealing with Putin’s terror. We should signal that is our intention too. British industry will respond positively to such news and it will be another nail in Putin’s gas stranglehold. British manufacturers are ready to respond, the UK’s world-leading gas networks are ready too. The Prime Minister just needs to get on with it.

“Green hydrogen is the long-term future the world is banking on. Its production is not limited to gas reserves under the feet of a select few countries, not all of them friendly, but its supply will come from countries with an abundance of wind or sun. The UK is one of those countries.

“We can become more energy independent and interdependent with green hydrogen, so the sooner we make the announcement to convert our gas networks, the better off we will be and the safer our world will be too.”

The EUA is the trade body that represents the interests of boiler manufacturers and energy suppliers.