Renewable energy groups as well as hydrogen technology players in the UK have criticised the government’s new Hydrogen Strategy for not focusing enough on developing a green hydrogen industry.
Green hydrogen can be produced using electrolysis where the electricity is supplied by renewable energy plants such as wind, solar and biogas.
The Hydrogen Strategy details a “twin track” approach to reach the 5GW low carbon hydrogen capacity by 2030 target set out by the government, using a mix of green and also blue hydrogen, where carbon is sequestered when hydrogen is produced from natural gas using steam methane reforming.
RenewableUK chief executive Dan McGrail (pictured) said overall the strategy “doesn’t focus nearly enough” on developing the UK’s world-leading green hydrogen industry, despite the UK having the potential to “generate vast quantities” of renewable hydrogen using clean electricity from offshore wind.
McGrail said: “In the year when the UK is hosting the biggest climate change summit for years, we fear that international investors in renewable hydrogen may compare this strategy to those of other countries and vote with their feet.
“The Government must use the current consultation period to amend its plans and set out a clear ambition for green hydrogen.”
He said green hydrogen is a clean fuel for sectors which have proved difficult to decarbonise so far, such as shipping and heat for heavy industry.
“We already have a head start in the global race to scale up the production of renewable hydrogen, with ground-breaking projects in development, such as the Gigastack project in the Humber, and world-class electrolyser manufacturers like ITM Power.
“We’re urging the Government to set a target of 5GW of renewable hydrogen electrolyser capacity by 2030 as well as setting out a roadmap to get us there, to show greater leadership on tackling climate change”.
Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Helen Melone acknowledged that while the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy positioned it as a world leader in a promising growth sector it is important that government “does not take its eye off the prize”.
She said green hydrogen is set to play a key role in decarbonising the global energy system.
“Concentrating on developing supply and a market for it now should be governments’ top priority in this area,” Melone said.
She added: “Scotland – the windiest country in Europe – has an exciting role to play on hydrogen and work to deliver this ambitious Strategy should recognise the key role the country will play in realising the UK’s hydrogen economy and net-zero targets.”
Environmental Audit Committee chairman, MP Philip Dunne, said the Hydrogen Strategy finally gives industry some clarity on the Government’s intention for hydrogen in the UK’s low carbon energy mix. He also highlighted the lack of clarity over “low carbon hydrogen”.
“While I welcome this step forward, I have to say it is disappointing that only now – after being promised the Strategy in November last year – are the necessary consultations being launched on how to overcome funding issues and how to define ‘low carbon’ hydrogen.
“These critical issues should have been ironed out in advance of this Strategy. I urge the Government to act swiftly on the outcomes of these consultations.
“The UK has a strategic advantage from the prospect of generating green hydrogen from surplus offshore renewable energy generation, but the opportunity should not be missed.”
Tom Mason, founder and CEO of hydrogen technology company Bramble Energy, added: “Hydrogen is desperately needed as part of the transition to a net zero economy, these words are not new. But, it must be clean, green and fast … Emphasis needs to shift towards green hydrogen which, with scale, can displace dirty hydrogen economically, while carbon capture technologies should temporarily provide a quick win in carbon reduction.”
Chris Jackson, CEO of green hydrogen outfit Protium, said government will ensure that the UK is locked into a fuel import strategy, by investing in blue hydrogen that “by design cannot be a net zero solution” and that will “channel billions” to the largest energy companies on earth instead of supporting and growing leading UK SMEs.