- Industry and consumer groups to offer views on new hydrogen
technology
- Following consultation, hydrogen blended into current gas
networks could increase by up to 20%
- Forms part of government efforts to grow the economy and
support the future hydrogen market
The Government has, today (15 September), invited views from
industry and consumer groups on increasing the amount of hydrogen
used in the UK’s gas network to fuel homes and businesses, in a
move to help cut emissions, strengthen energy security and create
new skilled jobs.
Energy Minister has launched a consultation
on the UK pursuing a process of “blending”, to accelerate the
creation of a new hydrogen industry.
Hydrogen currently makes up around 0.1 per cent of the gas used
in people’s homes and businesses – but proposals could see the
volume of hydrogen in the network increase gradually over time,
up to a maximum of 20 per cent.
This blending of hydrogen with natural gas in the network could
boost hydrogen production – which would in turn cut carbon
emissions and strengthen energy security, helping to stabilise
bills for families and businesses by making them less susceptible
to volatile gas prices.
The views from industry and consumer groups – combined with
forthcoming advice from the Health and Safety Executive – will
help inform next steps on the use of hydrogen, including through
blending.
Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance
said:
We want to capture the full economic potential that comes with
using hydrogen as a cleaner, reliable energy source – with the
opportunity to create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs.
Blending hydrogen into our gas supply – through existing gas
infrastructure – would open the doors to an expansion of its use
as a fuel, one which could help us cut emissions and stabilise
bills for families and businesses.
The consultation launched today marks the next step in
government’s plans to reach 10GW of hydrogen production capacity
by 2030 - creating over 12,000 new jobs and putting the UK at the
forefront of the growing hydrogen market.
Already the government has committed to support the design of
business models that will help early projects develop new
technology - so hydrogen can be used as a cleaner home-grown
energy source that will help stabilise bills for customers.
The energy sector, consumer groups and wider industry have until
27 October 2023 to submit their views to the government’s
consultation on Hydrogen Blending into GB Gas Distribution
Networks. The feedback will help inform government’s decision on
whether to proceed with blending.
Notes to Editor:
- More information on the consultation on Hydrogen Blending
into GB Gas Distribution Networks can be viewed here
