Heavy industry begins green shift with hydrogen investment
The UK’s hydrogen industry has reached a major milestone, with ten large-scale green hydrogen projects given the go-ahead to begin construction. Backed by £400 million in private investment, the schemes are expected to create 700 jobs and support decarbonisation across sectors such as steel, glass and heavy transport.
The projects, located across the UK from Teesside to North Scotland, form the first phase of the government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1). Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “Hydrogen will help us cut industrial emissions and support Britain’s industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in our industrial heartlands.”
Among the confirmed developments is the HyMarnham project in Nottinghamshire, which will transform a former coal power station into a clean energy hub. In the northeast, the Cromarty Hydrogen Project will use 35MW electrolysers to supply local distilleries and industry.
Kimberly-Clark has become the first major UK consumer goods brand to back green hydrogen, investing £125 million in projects in Cumbria and Kent.
In parallel, government has committed £500 million to develop the UK’s first hydrogen transport and storage network, and will consult on blending hydrogen into the gas grid to reduce system costs and support producers.
Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, called the announcement “a significant and encouraging milestone for the UK’s hydrogen sector.”
Read more: Hydrogen to re-industrialise fossil fuel heartlands