As part of the change plan to invest in the UK’s future as a clean energy superpower, thousands of clean energy jobs will be created in the UK Industrial Heartland as the government has confirmed more than £500 million for today’s hydrogen infrastructure.
The government has confirmed that the expenditure review will allocate new funds for the landmark to create hydrogen infrastructure, including hydrogen transport and storage networks for the first time, connecting with hydrogen producers and key end users such as power plants and industries.
This key infrastructure boost helps provide clean energy and creates thousands of skilled jobs in industrial areas such as Merseyside, Teesside and Humber, as well as in supply chains.
This reduces reliance on the unstable international fossil fuel market, while communities across the country feel the benefits of UK renewal.
The Benefits of Clean Energy Work for the Economy
Today’s announcement follows a confirmation of spending reviews that the government is creating thousands of clean energy jobs across the country.
10,000 jobs will be created at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Suffolk is a new fusion reactor to be built on the site of an old power plant in Nottinghamshire.
Additionally, up to 3,000 jobs are expected to be created through a small modular reactor program. Funds have also been allocated to kickstart the Scotland Acorn project and the Humber Viking project.
It supports manufacturing sectors that are likely to require hydrogen infrastructure such as iron, steel, glass, chemicals and ceramics, and forms part of the government’s long-term plan to invest and secure the future of the country’s industry.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
“By building a hydrogen network, we are ensuring our own energy drives UK industry for generations to come.”
The unique role of hydrogen infrastructure in the UK’s energy systems
The funding unlocks the unique role of hydrogen infrastructure in the UK energy systems. This energy system can decarbonize industrial sectors such as refineries and mass transport, providing long-term energy storage that can be deployed during peak demand periods.
The funding also enabled progress built on the success of the first hydrogen allocation round, supporting low carbon hydrogen production through the continuous hydrogen allocation round (HAR), allowing for more than £20 billion in government funding.
“Hydrogen networks are essential for the safe and resilient hydrogen sector, but it is important to ensure that sufficient energy storage capacity is important for energy security and affordable prices during the energy transition.”
Dr. Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, added: “By investing in transportation and storage infrastructure, the government is properly participating in the dots and linking already supported hydrogen production with electricity and industry end users.”
Hydrogen infrastructure has already attracted £400 million private sector investments in towns and cities such as Milford Haven in Wales and Heimernum in Nottinghamshire.
Government support will help create thousands of jobs in the sector, including apprentices, graduates, technically trained professionals, engineers, welders, skilled construction workers, pipe fitters, operations specialists and more.
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