Industry alliance manifesto demands “faster action” on national hydrogen targets

The North West Hydrogen Alliance, a group representing the hydrogen industry in North West England, has published a manifesto calling on government ministers to go further and faster in ramping up hydrogen production and infrastructure across the country.

The document sets out a number of recommendations that the NWHA believes are essential for the UK to capitalise on the hydrogen opportunity – which it is estimated will create 100,000 jobs and £13bn of GVA in the UK by 2050.

The group is urging government to set a new national target of 20 gigawatts of hydrogen by 2035, with the potential for the North West region alone to deliver up to 6 gigawatts if given the right support.

Other recommendations include:

• Accelerate projects in the carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) clusters to enable the UK to hit production targets
• Accelerate hydrogen transport and storage business models and provide interim measures to unlock early infrastructure
• Deliver a national supply chain and skills strategy which reflects the strengths and needs of different regions and which can support the reskilling and training a net zero future will require
• Review of planning processes for hydrogen to provide direction and a framework for new hydrogen infrastructure
• National public engagement programme around net zero to prepare consumers and foster public awareness and acceptability
• Create an enabling regulatory environment to unlock investment in electricity infrastructure to support the growth of green hydrogen production

Helen Boyle, head of regional development (North West and Midlands) at Cadent, says:

“This manifesto sets out what’s required to deliver a world leading hydrogen economy. This is a once in a generation opportunity but the UK must move further and faster. Demand for hydrogen in the North West is extremely strong, with industry standing ready to invest in a greener future. Our manifesto sets out how working together we can unlock this low carbon energy opportunity and secure and create jobs for the region and beyond.”

‘A manifesto for delivering a world leading hydrogen economy in the North West’ can be viewed here.

The manifesto is launched ahead of Hydrogen Week 2024 (Monday 26th February – Sunday 3rd March 2024) which is spearheaded by the NWHA. Returning for its second year, the national awareness raising week will bring together industry, academia and government to facilitate the UK’s role as a world leader in hydrogen and capitalise on the huge opportunity the sector offers for both reducing carbon emissions and driving green economic growth.

The North West is expected to be the first to develop a decarbonised, hydrogen-inclusive energy market and is one of the first two decarbonised energy clusters given government backing. The region is home to over 4GW of production capacity currently being developed – with projects including the hydrogen and carbon capture project HyNet, Trafford Green Hydrogen and First Hydrogen production plans in Liverpool and Manchester.