February 19, 2024 [H2 View]- The North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) has encouraged a new 20GW of hydrogen production target by 2035 to the UK Government.

Under a manifesto designed to deliver a “world leading” hydrogen economy in the Northwest of England, the NWHA has established recommendations that it believes are essential to develop the UK’s hydrogen opportunity.

Among its production capacity recommendations, the NWHA also wants to accelerate hydrogen transport and storage business models, and carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) projects.

For an industry that is expected to create 100,000 UK jobs and £13bn ($16.4bn) of GVA by 2050, the NWHA wants to deliver a national supply chain and skills strategy to reflect the strengths and needs of different regions and support reskilling and training.

The manifesto also recommends:

• Review of planning processes for hydrogen to provide direction and a framework for new hydrogen infrastructure.
• National public engagement programme around Net Zero to prepare consumers and foster public awareness and acceptability.
• Create an enabling regulatory environment to unlock investment in electricity infrastructure to support the growth of green hydrogen production.

The first UK hydrogen strategy was launched in 2021, which targeted a low-carbon hydrogen production capacity of 5GW by 2030.

Helen Boyle, Head of Regional Development (North West and Midlands) at Cadent, explained that the NWHA’s manifesto recognises that working together will “unlock this low-carbon energy opportunity and secure and create jobs for the region and beyond.”

Boyle added, “This is a once in a generation opportunity, but the UK must move further and faster. Demand for hydrogen in the north west is extremely strong, with industry standing ready to invest in a greener future.”

The English Northwest currently boasts over 4GW of production capacity in development, with HyNet, Traffford Green Hydrogen and First Hydrogen production plans in Liverpool and Manchester supporting this capacity.

The manifesto has been released ahead of Hydrogen Week 2024, spearheaded by the NWHA and taking place from February 26 to March 3, 2024.

The Hydrogen UK also laid out five essential pillars that will advance the UK’s hydrogen supply chain last year (2023), in its Anchoring UK Hydrogen Supply Chains: setting out an industry vision report.

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