Hydrogen Central

Boris Johnson to Double Hydrogen Targets to Reduce Gas Use – ‘Homegrown Super Fuel’

boris johnson hydrogen gas

Boris Johnson to double hydrogen targets to reduce gas use – ‘Homegrown super fuel’.

BORIS JOHNSON announce plans to double Government low-carbon hydrogen targets as they seek to find gas alternatives.

The Prime Minister will gamble on hydrogen usage as part of the Government’s energy strategy in a hope that hydrogen can be used to heat over a third of homes in the UK by 2050. By 2030, the Government will increase low-carbon hydrogen targets from 5GW capacity to 10GW in a “big bet” on hydrogen.

Kwasi Kwarteng, Business and Energy Secretary said on Twitter:

Global hydrogen production is set to boom — we’re going to grab as much market share as possible. 

“This homegrown super fuel could power British industry, homes, and transport.” 

“We’re set to generate 5GW this decade but will go further in this week’s Energy Security Strategy.”

Increased hydrogen usage will be used for public transport and industry and by 2026, the Government will announce if it is safe to use to heat homes.

Concerns surrounding the cost have arisen with fears that it could be given to consumers via energy bills as it does with the system of subsidies for wind power.

The Government has taken a “50:50” approach to the production of hydrogen as while hydrogen produces no carbon when it is burnt, the size of its carbon footprint depends on how the gas is produced.

Environmental campaigners have issued a warning that the Government needs to prioritise “green” hydrogen over “blue” hydrogen.

Green hydrogen is made with electricity from renewable sources to get the hydrogen from water whereas blue hydrogen is produced using natural gas.

Over 23 million households are heated using natural gas with home energy use accounting for 15 percent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Part of the energy strategy is to construct a maximum of seven nuclear power stations while also increasing offshore wind power.

The strategy will also loosen planning constraints for onshore turbines if there is the support from the local communities.

An extra £100 million will be pumped into the £1 billion Energy Company Obligation scheme that provides low-income households with allowances to make their houses more energy efficient.

The move also comes after Downing Street advisors said the Government needed to create further support for people struggling with the rising cost-of-living crisis.

Andrea Leadsom, Former Business Secretary said:

My concern is that the Government’s new energy strategy will be great for the medium term but won’t do enough to help energy bills this winter. 

“The 1922 committee report is full of practical ideas for what the Government can do in the short term, as well as how consumers can help themselves.”

The 1922 committee on business, energy and industrial strategy published advice for households, including turning off radiators in unused rooms and reducing the temperature setting on gas boilers. Thanks for staying up to date with Hydrogen Central.

The committee also called for a “permissive” planning regime for fracking and renewable schemes.

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

Boris Johnson to double hydrogen targets to reduce gas use – ‘Homegrown super fuel’, April 6, 2022

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