Driving Hydrogen Demand: HEA's Action Plan for UK's Net Zero Journey
Key Ideas
- The Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) in the UK has released a comprehensive action plan to boost hydrogen demand across key sectors like industry, power, and transport.
- The plan includes recommendations such as amending carbon pricing, setting emissions targets, developing hydrogen hubs, and reforming policies to support hydrogen blending into the gas grid and transportation.
- The CEO of HEA, Dr. Emma Guthrie, highlights the economic and energy benefits of hydrogen, projecting the creation of thousands of jobs and attracting billions in private investments by 2030.
- The report emphasizes the importance of targeted government interventions to achieve the UK's goal of deploying 10 GW of low carbon hydrogen production by 2030 for long-term growth and decarbonization.
The Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) in the UK has launched the Building Hydrogen Demand Action Plan, a strategic roadmap to advance the utilization of hydrogen in the country's economy. The plan, designed to support the UK's transition towards net zero emissions and enhance energy security, provides recommendations focused on increasing demand for low carbon hydrogen. Aligning with recent announcements by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the plan targets sectors like glass manufacturing, brick making, power generation, and sustainable aviation fuel production.
Dr. Emma Guthrie, the CEO of HEA, underlines the positive developments in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation, signaling the need to shift attention towards boosting demand. The plan forecasts significant economic benefits, including job creation and attracting private investments of £11 billion by 2030. Key recommendations range from amending carbon pricing to creating mandates and emissions targets to stimulate hydrogen uptake.
The action plan calls for infrastructural investments in inland hydrogen hubs, advocating for blending hydrogen into the gas grid and accelerating decision-making processes. Specific strategies for the transport sector include developing a Hydrogen for Transport Strategy to enhance support and establish clear deployment targets.
Moreover, the report stresses the necessity of government intervention to achieve the target of deploying 10 GW of low carbon hydrogen production by 2030, addressing both immediate barriers and fostering long-term growth. By removing obstacles and laying a foundation for sustained progress, the UK aims to leverage hydrogen's potential for system resilience, energy security, and substantial cost savings in the coming decades.