March 2024
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This conference discussed priorities for developing hydrogen production, decarbonisation and commercialisation in the UK.
It brought key stakeholders together with policymakers to assess next steps for financing hydrogen projects following the latest Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2), alongside opportunities for making hydrogen more competitive and creating resilient markets.
Following recommendations in the Hydrogen Champion Report and government’s recent consultation response on hydrogen blending into GB gas distribution networks, there was discussion on overcoming logistical challenges along the supply chain, achieving more effective transport and storage solutions, and the way forward for addressing costs and affordability.
The discussion also took place in the context of calls from the hydrogen industry for government to incentivise green investment, amidst concern over recent changes to milestones for implementation of aspects of net zero policy.
Further sessions examined strategies for tackling obstacles to production, scaling up and implementation of hydrogen as a competitive option for key industries, such as domestic heating, transport, maritime, aviation and heavy industry.
We also expected discussion on frameworks for collaboration between stakeholders in hydrogen and the wider energy sector, key markets, R&D and investment, and government and regulation.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Katie Ostheimer, Deputy Director, Hydrogen Supply, DESNZ; Jane Toogood, UK Hydrogen Champion; and Co-Chair, Hydrogen Advisory Council; Nick Winser, Commissioner, NIC; and Clare Jackson, Chief Executive, Hydrogen UK.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- Policy: supporting commercialisation - next steps for building the hydrogen market following the allocation of funds to hydrogen projects in strands 1 and 2 of the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund
- Growing the hydrogen economy: opportunities and challenges for enabling hydrogen uptake - cost and logistics - safety and investment priorities
- Competitiveness: assessing the viability of hydrogen as a renewable alternative in the mix of options across key sectors
- Supply issues: logistics and practicalities - strategies for tackling barriers to sourcing the critical minerals and other raw materials necessary to grow the UK hydrogen economy
- Business models: assessing approaches - plans for addressing challenges around the sliding scale mechanism
- Infrastructure: next steps for planning, designing and implementing solutions for hydrogen transport and storage, including refuelling stations and pipelines
- Regulation: promoting affordability - reducing supply chain costs and end user economic burden in the transition to green hydrogen
- Strategic outlook: planning for 2030 production targets and beyond - priorities for development and implementation in the near- and longer-term for government and industry
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from CCC; CCS; CMA; DAERA, NI; DBT; Defra; Department for Infrastructure, NI; Department for the Economy, NI; Department of Finance, NI; DESNZ; DfE; DfT; DLUHC; EA; GLD; HMRC; HM Treasury; HSE; Isle of Man Government; MCA; MOD; NAO; NIRO; OEP; ONS; OPSS; Planning Inspectorate; UKIB; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.
