Thousands of clean energy jobs will be created in Britain's
industrial heartlands as the government confirms over £500
million for hydrogen infrastructure today, as part of the Plan
for Change to invest in Britain's future as a clean energy
superpower.
The government has confirmed that the spending review allocated
landmark new funding to create the UK's first regional hydrogen
transport and storage network, connecting hydrogen producers with
vital end users, including power stations and industry for the
first time.
This major infrastructure boost will help deliver clean energy
while creating thousands of skilled jobs in industrial regions
such as Merseyside, Teesside and the Humber, as well as in the
supply chain. This will ensure communities across the
country feel the benefits of Britain's renewal while reducing
reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets.
Today's announcement also follows confirmation in the Spending
Review that the government is creating thousands of clean energy
jobs across the country, with 10,000 jobs to be created at
Sizewell C in Suffolk, a new fusion reactor to be built on the
site of an old power station in Nottinghamshire, up to 3,000 jobs
created through the small modular reactor programme, and funding
to kickstart the Acorn project in Scotland and the Viking project
in the Humber.
This investment builds on the 4,000 jobs already set to be
created in CCUSprojects in the
North West and Teesside.
This will support manufacturing sectors likely to require
hydrogen like iron, steel, glass, chemicals and ceramics – and
forms part of government's long-term plan to invest in and secure
the country's industrial future, with more detail
expected in the upcoming Infrastructure Strategy.
Energy Secretary said:
We are investing over half a billion pounds in our industrial
heartlands to deliver jobs and energy security for Britain. By
building hydrogen networks, we are securing homegrown energy that
will power British industry for generations to come.
This will bring in the investment needed across the
country to deliver our Plan for Change by unlocking
clean energy and growth in our local economies.
The funding will unlock hydrogen's unique role in Britain's
energy system, where it can decarbonise industrial sectors
including refineries and heavy transport, while providing
long-term energy storage that can be deployed during peak demand
periods.
The funding also enables progress on supporting low carbon
hydrogen production through continued Hydrogen Allocation Rounds
(HAR), building on
the success of the First Hydrogen Allocation Round which saw
11 projects being allocated over £2 billion in government
funding.
Hydrogen UK's head of policy and analysis, Brett Ryan, said:
We welcome today's announcement on hydrogen transport and storage
infrastructure. Hydrogen networks are essential for a secure and
resilient hydrogen sector, whilst ensuring sufficient energy
storage capacity will be critical to energy security and
affordability during the energy transition. We look forward to
working with the government as we continue to deliver hydrogen's
role in reaching net zero and ensuring our energy security.
Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO
of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said:
This announcement is a key piece of the puzzle and represents
very welcome government support to galvanise the UK's regional
hydrogen hubs. By investing in transport and storage
infrastructure, the government is rightly joining the dots,
connecting already supported hydrogen production with end users
across power and industry.
This strategic thinking builds on the strength of our established
industrial regions and supported clusters, unlocking clean energy
potential while creating skilled jobs in places such as
Merseyside, Teesside and the Humber. It's a vital step forward on
the UK's journey to becoming a clean energy superpower.
Hydrogen has already attracted £400 million of private sector
investment in towns and cities such as Milford Haven in Wales and
High Marnham in Nottinghamshire, and government support will help
create thousands of jobs in the sector, including roles for
apprentices, graduates and technically trained professionals,
such as engineers, welders, skilled construction workers,
pipefitters and operations specialists.
