The North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) is championing hydrogen power as a key player in the UK’s clean energy transition. In a recent report, the NWHA emphasized the critical role of hydrogen-to-power (H2P) in decarbonizing the energy sector and driving economic growth, particularly in North West England.
According to the NWHA, North West England is uniquely positioned to harness hydrogen power, potentially contributing over £3 billion in gross value added (GVA) and creating around 37,000 jobs by 2030 through developing a robust hydrogen economy. The alliance also highlighted the opportunity to retrofit existing gas-fired power stations and establish new hydrogen-ready facilities to enhance grid reliability while reducing emissions.
As the UK government aims for a fully decarbonized power system by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050, hydrogen emerges as a viable solution to meet peak electricity demand and supplement renewable energy sources during low output periods. However, this vision can only materialize with timely action from both government and industry stakeholders.
Dave Richardson, interim chair of NWHA, underscored the significance of hydrogen as a flexible and dispatchable electricity generation option. He pointed out that while renewables like wind and solar have made substantial progress, they still face challenges due to their inflexibility. Richardson stated,
“Hydrogen can provide a solution to help decarbonize the grid.”
The NWHA report outlined key policy recommendations aimed at accelerating the adoption of hydrogen-to-power technologies. These include allocating already committed funding for hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure, establishing dedicated business models for H2P projects to mitigate investor risk, and incentivizing transitions from gas-fired capacity to hydrogen-based systems.
Richardson further emphasized North West England’s readiness to lead in embracing hydrogen power technology. He highlighted ongoing developments such as EET Hydrogen’s large-scale plant and HyNet’s growing transport and storage capabilities as key assets positioning the region at the forefront of the clean energy revolution.
Looking ahead, Richardson called upon policymakers to address uncertainties surrounding storage and transport issues within an updated national hydrogen strategy scheduled for release later this year. Despite strides made in advancing the UK’s hydrogen sector, challenges persist around efficiency concerns compared to direct electrification methods.
Critics have raised questions about priorities in light of rising costs, policy delays, and project cancellations like BP’s HyGreen initiative termination in Teesside. They advocate prioritizing alternatives such as battery storage solutions over using less efficient methods like blue hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture technology.
In conclusion, North West England stands ready at the vanguard of Britain’s green energy evolution with its embrace of innovative solutions like H2P technology poised to shape a sustainable future for generations to come.
