Clare Jackson, CEO of UK Hydogen, is taking steps taken by the entire UK and the UK hydrogen industry to promote hydrogen technology and industry to meet its 2030 clean power targets.
As we stand at the 2025 threshold, the urgency to move to cleaning rights has become more apparent than ever. The UK government has set ambitious targets to achieve its 2030 clean power target, and hydrogen is poised to play a pivotal role in this transformation. Reflecting 2024, it was a year’s forecast and strategic plan.
In response, Hydrogen UK launched its Hydrogen UK manifesto, providing a roadmap for hydrogen technology and infrastructure. Although great progress has been made since its launch, there is still much work to do.
Year of review: The foundations of the new government
Our members’ new government enquiries have been instrumental in shaping the hydrogen landscape. Our manifesto outlined policy recommendations for the new UK government to support the growth of the hydrogen sector from 2025 to 2030.
Here are the key points from the manifest:
Immediate Action: Improving the government to advance one hydrogen project, fund projects within the cluster sequencing process, and promote allocation rounds of hydrogen storage and transportation business models. Target Delivery: Supporting the UK’s technological and dependent approach to meet its 2030 target of low carbon hydrogen production in 10 GW, reviewing policies to reduce production costs, and annual hydrogen allocation rounds Commit to. Infrastructure Development: Seek clear targets and timelines for hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure, development of core networks for hydrogen pipelines, and comprehensive regulatory reforms to meet hydrogen use in existing networks . Low Carbon Fuel Strategy: We recommend the disclosure of low carbon fuel strategies, equal recognition and funding for hydrogen fuel vehicles, and strategic planning for hydrogen fuel stations. Technical Flexibility: Advocates maintaining technological flexibility in policy decisions for wider thermal decarbonization. Local Content Ambition: Set voluntary ambitions of 50% UK local content across the hydrogen value chain from 2030. Investing in Trade: Encourages investment in hydrogen imports and exports to position the UK as a future hydrogen trade hub. Public Sector Finance: Proposes a targeted public sector finance for UK supply chain companies and a strategic approach between government and industry to attract overseas supply chain companies to the UK.
Filling the gap
As it was their first few months, many elements of the manifesto have yet to be fully realized by the government. The industry is eagerly awaiting progress in several ways. It is important to overcome the problems presented by the Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement to ensure that a systematic hydrogen project can proceed to a final investment decision.
This month we are pleased to announce the funding for the project within Track 1 of the Cluster Sequencing Process. We are currently announcing the success of our Truck-1x and Truck 2 projects. It is essential to promote the first allocation round of the hydrogen storage business model and hydrogen transport business model.
Adopting a single standard for low-carbon hydrogen across all government support mechanisms is another important step. It is necessary to reiterate commitments to future hydrogen allocation rounds and release consultations on the design of hydrogen financing mechanisms to maintain momentum.
It is essential that ongoing hydrogen blending in gas distribution networks reduces the demand risks of early hydrogen production projects. Providing substantial infrastructure development, regulatory clarity, and sustained financial support to expand production and distribution is essential to industry growth.
Industry highlights: Pioneering advances
Despite this gap, our member organizations have introduced the potential for hydrogen in various sectors this year, indicating that they were first recognized at the Hydrogen UK Awards.
HVS makes operational hydrogen-powered heavy cargo vehicles (HGVs) a reality and demonstrates hydrogen survival rates in the transport sector. Fuel Cell Systems Ltd (FCSL) is recognized for its innovative hydrogen fuel supply solution, using green hydrogen at the innovative hydrogen festival of speed festival.
Exolum demonstrates the excellence in hydrogen transport and storage using liquid organic hydrogen transport (LOHC) in recycled oil pipelines and storage tanks. Carlton Power is recognized for helping industrial companies move from natural gas by moving forward with green hydrogen production projects. Finally, Hiiroc Ltd and Centrica Plc are recognized for using thermal plasma electrolysis technology to produce low carbon hydrogen, aiming to become UK decarbonized gas-peaking plants.
Hydrogen UK highlights
This year, Hydogen UK collaborated with DESNZ to host a Hydrogen Investment Forum. DESNZ has brought together over 300 C-Sweet participants and 80 government officials to advance the hydrogen industry.
Furthermore, our Hydrogen UK Parliamentary reception was a notable event that was privileged to hear from the Minister of Industry (responsible for hydrogen), Sarah Jones. This was her first public speech to the hydrogen industry after the recent election. Minister Jones reaffirmed the government’s commitment to hydrogen, highlighting its diverse end use and its potential to transition jobs across the UK and bring economic benefits.
She highlighted the importance of fostering a strong partnership between industry and government, and acknowledged the important needs to advance the HAR1 project. This continues to be one of the association’s top priorities.
Minister Jones announced in her speech that she is developing a decarburizing industry strategy as part of a broader industrial strategy, and welcomes active involvement from the industry on the initiative.
Hydogen UK will continue to work with members, Hydrogen Innovation Initiative, Hydrogen Distribution Council and other members who promote priorities for stakeholders and members, Desnz, Hydrogen Distribution Council and other members.
Looking forward to 2025
Looking forward to 2025, our hopes are high. We aim to build on progress made in 2024 and address remaining challenges. Our focus is to support decarbonisation sectors in countries that are difficult to decline, leveraging hydrogen technology to grow the economy, create jobs, and North for the transition from oil and gas to hydrogen employment It’s about becoming a star. It also aims to become an important enabler for meeting Clean Power Targets by 2030.
As CEO of Hydogen UK, I am deeply committed to driving this transformation. By 2030 we will begin counting down to clean power, and every step we take will bring us closer to a clean energy-equipped future. Accept this journey with optimism, resilience and a shared commitment to a scalable hydrogen economy.
This is the New Year. I look forward to supporting the industry with that ambition and speeding up and moving forward.
This article will also be featured in the 20th edition of Quarterly Publishing.
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