APPG urges the UK Government to deliver beyond existing commitments and set ambitious hydrogen targets to help reach net zero by 2050.
The APPG on Hydrogen is chaired by Jacob Young, MP for Redcar and has a total of 31 parliamentary members.
It provides a forum for MPs and Peers to engage with leading businesses and organisations that are working to enable the UK to meet its decarbonisation targets through the implementation of hydrogen projects, and to discuss policy options to support these.
The APPG’s sponsors are Baxi, Bosch, Cadent, EDF, Energy and Utilities Alliance, Equinor,
Johnson Matthey, National Grid, Northern Gas Networks, SGN and Shell.
A large-scale conversion to hydrogen has the potential to:
Position the UK as a global leader in hydrogen technology
The UK is already seen to be the most advanced in its research and testing on the potential of hydrogen. We must move fast to solidify this position and ensure we are not left behind.
Drastically cut carbon emissions
Hydrogen has the potential to reduce large amounts of carbon emissions in several areas including throughout industrial processes and the way we heat our homes and businesses. This is likely to cause less disruption and upfront costs for customers moving to alternatives.
Create and sustain thousands of skilled jobs in all parts of country
Parliamentarians from all areas of the UK are members of the APPG, while unions such as UNISON and GMB are strong supporters of hydrogen.
Unlock innovation in other sectors
Hydrogen technology can lead to greater production and rollout of hydrogen cars, trains, buses, lorries and ferries, as well as in heavy industry and domestic appliances.
What is hydrogen?
Hydrogen is a gas that can be combusted in a way that produces no greenhouse gas emissions. It can be produced through electrolysis of water or by reforming methane, where the carbon dioxide generated can be captured and stored.
Many organisations are currently looking at hydrogen as a source of low carbon energy
and as a key solution towards supporting the Government’s net zero targets. Some businesses assessing hydrogen’s potential are exploring the creation and delivery of hydrogen through carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) (also referred to as blue hydrogen), nuclear energy and renewable energy such as offshore wind (also referred to as green hydrogen).
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
The UK has the potential to become a world leader in this sector. It has a long history of
leading in developments on gas technology, a large workforce linked to the gas industry and as an excellent safety record. It also has experience in gas conversion, and an integrated gas network already largely adapted to be hydrogen ready.
In a clear display of the enormity of the challenge, research by the think tank Onward found that the Government will fail to deliver on its commitment to net zero by 2050 without taking radical action and setting clear policies to decarbonise the 12 most carbon-intensive industries, which together represent three-fifths of UK emissions and employ one in every five jobs.
This research was also supported by Hydrogen Strategy Now’s ‘State of the Hydrogen Nation’ survey which found that the lack of a clear Hydrogen Strategy has seen the UK miss out on valuable investments into UK hydrogen projects, while 81 per cent said the UK was failing to meet its hydrogen potential.
The Government has the opportunity in the forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy to affirm its
leadership in hydrogen technology whilst showcasing leading homegrown technologies in
the run up to COP26 to promote the UK’s hydrogen potential internationally.
Reasons why the UK should become a global leader in hydrogen technology
- Existing infrastructure for gas storage with an excellent safety record
- Demonstrable achievements in scientific and engineering innovations
- Skilled professionals, resources, companies and academic/research facilities
- UK financial services and proximity to European markets
The findings also demonstrate that more than three-quarters of respondents to the survey
said the 5GW hydrogen production target set out in the PM’s Ten Point Plan is not ambitious enough. This is supported by research from the Hydrogen Taskforce which believes that there is potential for 22.9GW of Hydrogen to be produced by 2030.
The Government has the opportunity in the forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy to affirm its
leadership in hydrogen technology whilst showcasing leading homegrown technologies
in the run up to COP26 to promote the UK’s hydrogen potential internationally.
The Government must continue to expand beyond its existing commitments of 5GW production in the forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy. This should mirror industry’s ambition for hydrogen and support the creation of green jobs for the UK economy.
The role of hydrogen in powering industry, July 6, 2021
