A NEW Hydrogen Task Force, which wants the UK Government to commit £1bn towards hydrogen projects, was launched in Parliament today.
The coalition is backed by the major companies Arup, Arval, Baxi, BNP Paribas, BOC, BP, Cadent, DBD, ITM Power, Shell and Storengy.
The Taskforce has agreed a collective position on the next steps that must be taken to ensure the UK capitalises on an opportunity to decarbonise heat, which accounts for 37% of UK carbon emissions.
Jeff House, Head of External Affairs for Baxi Heating, commented on the launch: “Baxi and others in the heating industry are preparing to deliver clean heating and play our part in tackling climate change.
“We now call on the government to match our commitment with a clear message that hydrogen is one of the key solutions to deliver Net Zero by committing £1bn towards readying the UK for hydrogen in the upcoming Spending Review.
“From the consumer’s perspective, hydrogen will offer everything they value from their current heating solution, namely instantaneous heat and hot water delivered by the existing gas network.
“Hydrogen offers a straightforward and practical solution for the consumer and we urge government to prioritise it in its future plans.”
The Taskforce marks its launch with the publication of a report called ‘The Role of Hydrogen in delivering Net Zero’ which sets out actions that must be taken by industry and Government over the next five years to scale hydrogen applications, specifically its production, distribution and storage.
The Task Force makes five policy recommendations in their report:
- Developing a cross-departmental Hydrogen Strategy within UK Government.
- Seeking commitment by Government of £1bn over the next Spending Review Period to hydrogen production, storage and distribution projects.
- Developing financial support for the production of hydrogen for blending into the gas grid, industrial use, power generation and transport.
- Amending Gas Safety Management Regulations to enable hydrogen blending into the
UK Gas Grid and take the next steps towards 100% hydrogen heating through supporting public trials and mandating hydrogen-ready boilers by 2025. - Collaboration to establish 100 hydrogen refuelling stations by 2025 to support the roll-out of hydrogen transport
You can read the Task Force’s report here
