‘The Humber’s industrial heft makes it the obvious choice as the location of Britain’s first hydrogen network’
An aerial view of Saltend Chemicals Park.(Image: Supplied)
The Humber could deliver a £17bn economic boost and more than 50,000 jobs if it is picked by Government to become a hydrogen infrastructure pioneer, new data shows. The Government is drawing up plans for the UK’s first regional hydrogen transport and storage network, with one industrial region poised to receive £500m in funding to make it happen.
The Humber is a leading contender to receive the significant funding, which could lead to thousands of skilled jobs and supply chain opportunities. The first regional hydrogen transport and storage network would connect hydrogen producers with end users, including power stations and industry.
And new independent analysis by Humber Hydrogen, developed with support of KPMG, shows that awarding the Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model to the Humber could trigger £17bn of economic growth, from the construction and operations of the cluster’s hydrogen assets. It would also have has the potential to support 53,000 jobs during construction and 900 sustained jobs during the operation of the UK’s first hydrogen cluster.
At its peak, the project would cut up to five million tonnes of CO2 a year of the UK’s largest emitting industrial cluster, which currently emits 20 million tonnes of CO2 per year. The Humber Hydrogen cluster in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire will be delivered by four of Britain’s leading energy companies – Centrica, Equinor, National Gas, and SSE Thermal.
Speaking on behalf of Humber Hydrogen, Ian Radley, chief commercial officer at National Gas, said: “The Humber’s industrial heft makes it the obvious choice as the location of Britain’s first hydrogen network. East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire have the industrial demand, infrastructure, supply chains, skilled workforce, and geological assets to deliver Britain’s hydrogen capability.
“Unlocking hydrogen’s potential in the Humber will unleash economic growth and propel both the region and Britain into a new era of global leadership in low carbon industry.”
As an alternative fuel to natural gas, Hydrogen can be used to decarbonise power generation for industries such as heavy manufacturing, chemicals and steel production.
Clare Jackson, CEO, Hydrogen UK, said: “This analysis underlines what the hydrogen sector has been saying clearly: hydrogen is a major economic growth opportunity for the UK. The Humber is exactly the kind of industrial region where hydrogen can attract investment, support skilled jobs and help energy-intensive businesses remain competitive.
“By building the pipelines and storage we need to connect hydrogen production with demand, projects like Humber Hydrogen can help deliver stronger energy security and crucial economic growth for the UK.”
Backing the project’s potential, Melanie Onn, Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said: “The Humber has long been the UK’s industrial powerhouse, and today it stands ready to lead the transition to a clean energy future. Humber Hydrogen represents a historic opportunity to decarbonise industry, deliver clean power, safeguard thousands of skilled jobs, and unlock new investment across our region. I’m proud to support this landmark project and to help champion the Humber’s role at the heart of Britain’s hydrogen future.”
Humber Energy Board’s MD Dr Iain Harris added: “This analysis reinforces the strength of the Humber’s case to host the UK’s first regional hydrogen transport and storage network. The region brings together significant industrial demand, credible hydrogen production, proven salt-cavern storage capacity, world-class port infrastructure and experienced partners ready to deliver.
“That is why Humber Energy Board is calling on the UK Government to allocate its £500 million hydrogen transport and storage support to the Humber and select the region’s proposals. Backing the Humber would accelerate industrial decarbonisation, strengthen UK energy security, unlock private investment and create skilled jobs and supply chain opportunities for communities across the region.”
At the start of this year a letter was sent to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband from the Humber Energy Board, signed by 30 businesses and organisations from across the region, including 11 major energy companies, all four local authorities, the Mayor of Hull & East Yorkshire, Humber Freeport, unions, colleges, training providers and universities.
It highlighted reasons why the Humber is the ideal location and also warned of the risks if it is not selected – including job losses.