Professor welcomes Government plans to increase hydrogen production

The Government’s Energy Security Strategy published today, April 7, has set out plans for a significant acceleration of hydrogen production, with a doubling of the target from 5GW to 10GW by 2030.

Professor Joe Howe, Chair of the North West Hydrogen Alliance and Executive Director of Energy Research Institute at the University of Chester, said: “The decision to rapidly ramp up hydrogen production, which will simultaneously cut carbon emissions and boost energy security, is one we strongly welcome.

“Accelerating delivery and use of low carbon hydrogen is essential, alongside electrification, to reach net zero. We would argue that the target could go a step further with 15GW possible by 2030.”

Last October, the HyNet Consortium, based at the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park, was selected by the UK Government to pioneer the new green skills required to meet the country’s Net Zero targets.

<< Read more: University powers ahead as academic lead in national Net Zero mission >>

As part of its own Net Zero by 2030 goal, the University is developing a HyNet Academy, with a curriculum informed by the latest research and together with public and private providers of further education.

This will further the University’s commitment to equipping current and future generations with the knowledge and experience needed to address the opportunities in the clean growth agenda.

Professor Howe added: “With HyNet, the North West of England is perfectly placed to make a significant contribution to this new national energy system. Set to be operational by 2025, it will produce around 4GW of continuous peak output of hydrogen – 40% of the Government’s new national target by 2030. Coupled with carbon capture and storage, it will provide a low carbon, sustainable future use for natural gas in the coming decades.

“Something that people often cite with renewables is their intermittent nature. When it comes to hydrogen in the North West, we’ve the ability to deliver affordable storage at a large scale. It means we can reduce the risk of energy supply shortages, reliance on overseas supplies and volatility of energy prices.

“HyNet and other regional hydrogen projects are happening now on the ground. Government policy, regulation and funding most go hand-in-hand with the new target.
“With the North West aiming to deliver the UK’s first hydrogen economy, the University of Chester is leading the way in the region’s ambition to make that vision a reality.”

To find out more about HyNet North West visit chester.ac.uk/crest/research/hynet