A new report released today by UK industry body the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) provides a blueprint for unlocking hydrogen-powered electricity, positioning the North West as the UK’s leading region in this crucial endeavour to secure the nation’s clean energy future and meet its net zero targets.

‘Hydrogen to power: Delivering net zero ambitions in the North West’ outlines how the region, leveraging its robust industrial heritage and rapidly expanding hydrogen infrastructure through HyNet and world-leading hydrogen production projects, is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in Hydrogen to Power (H2P).

The report underscores the vital role of H2P in decarbonising the grid, supporting renewable energy generation (such as wind and solar) with flexible, dispatchable electricity during times of peak demand or low renewables supply. This will be critical in achieving the government’s ambitious Clean Power 2030 targets and the legally binding commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

To fully realise the potential of H2P, the NWHA is calling on the government to address three policy gaps:

Flexible H2P projects require enabling hydrogen transport and storage networks. Now the government has committed £500M to enabling the early phases of such networks, they must move quickly to allocate this to the first set of related infrastructure.
The Hydrogen to Power Business Model (H2PBM) should be designed to address cross-chain risks and a timeline for allocation rounds should be confirmed by the government as soon as possible to enable investable projects to be brought-forward by developers.
Gas-fired sites operating in the Capacity Market (CM) should be incentivised to transition to hydrogen-firing via the H2PBM or amendments to the CM, and also (for new projects) via forthcoming new Decarbonisation Readiness requirements.

Dave Richardson, Interim Chair of the North West Hydrogen Alliance, said: “The UK has made commendable progress in scaling up renewable energy sources like wind and solar, but this can be quite inflexible – when the sun’s not shining, the wind’s not blowing or when we have peaks in demand. Hydrogen can provide a solution to help decarbonise the grid, as a form of flexible, low-carbon and dispatchable electricity generation.

“The North West is primed to be the first region to realise the potential of Hydrogen to Power and drive the UK’s net zero journey. We have the first large-scale hydrogen power plant with EET Hydrogen, rapidly developing transport and storage capabilities through HyNet and the necessary expertise to lead this energy transition. We’re calling on the government to unlock some policy uncertainties, particularly around storage and transport to ensure we can capitalise on the huge potential of hydrogen to power for the nation.”

The report highlights the North West’s potential to generate over £3 billion in gross value added (GVA) and create approximately 37,000 jobs by 2030 through the development of a thriving hydrogen economy, with H2P identified as a key driver of this economic growth, potentially contributing significantly to both job creation (over 5,600 new jobs) and GVA (£478 million).

For more information, visit www.nwhydrogenalliance.co.uk.

The full report, ” Hydrogen to power: Delivering net zero ambitions in the North West,” is now available to download here.

Industry report calls for the UK Government to unlock hydrogen to power and drive net zero

Lhyfe completes first combustion tests using green hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas

John Cockerill acquires key assets from McPhy to accelerate the development of its new generation of pressurised alkaline electrolysers