The North West is gearing up to lead Britain’s clean energy push, with a new report from the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) showing how the region could power up the grid using hydrogen – and help deliver the UK’s net zero targets.
The report, Hydrogen to Power: Delivering Net Zero Ambitions in the North West, lays out how the region’s strong industrial base and rapid progress on infrastructure through HyNet make it the ideal launchpad for hydrogen-to-power (H2P).
Crucially, H2P provides clean, flexible electricity when wind and solar can’t – making it a vital piece of the Clean Power 2030 puzzle.
But the NWHA warns policy delays could stall progress. It wants ministers to urgently release the promised £500 million for storage and transport infrastructure, clarify the business model for H2P, and ensure gas plants are incentivised to switch to hydrogen.
Dave Richardson, Interim Chair of NWHA, said: “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.”
With the first large-scale hydrogen power plant already in development by EET Hydrogen and HyNet building the pipes and storage to match, the region is ready to go. The only thing missing now is policy certainty.
The report also highlights the economic prize. H2P alone could deliver £478 million in GVA (gross value added) and 5,600 jobs by 2030.
Across the wider hydrogen economy, the region could generate more than £3 billion and 37,000 jobs.
North West the home of British hydrogen? appeared first on Energy Live News.