The Humber could become Britain’s first hydrogen heartland, with a new analysis suggesting that the proposed cluster could safeguard up to 4,000 existing jobs, create hundreds of apprenticeships and unlock as much as £15 billion in investment.
The findings have been published by Humber Hydrogen, ahead of a government decision on which region will host the UK’s first hydrogen transport and storage network, backed by more than £500 million in funding.
The analysis suggests a Humber-based network could also support more than 54,000 jobs during construction, while sustaining around 900 roles once the infrastructure is operational and a further 700 apprenticeships over the lifetime of its assets
The Humber is already home to a significant concentration of energy-intensive industry, including steel and chemicals and is also developing several hydrogen production and storage projects.
Storage is another major part of the Humber’s case. East Yorkshire is estimated to hold 65% of the UK’s potential new-build hydrogen storage capacity, with existing gas storage facilities at Aldbrough expected to be expanded and adapted for hydrogen.
The proposed network would bring together Centrica, Equinor, National Gas and SSE Thermal, covering hydrogen production, transportation, storage and use.
On behalf of Humber Hydrogen, Ian Radley, Chief Commercial Officer at National Gas, said:
“We’re calling on the UK Government to back the Humber as the obvious choice for Britain’s first hydrogen cluster. Developing this vital infrastructure in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire will bring significant investment to the region and create new opportunities for the communities that have powered British industry for generations.
The Humber’s skilled workforce has been instrumental to Britain’s industrial success for decades and stands ready to lead the next chapter, unlocking the UK’s potential as a global leader in hydrogen.”
Copyright © 2026 Energy Live News LtdELN