The government of UK has just confirmed that more than £500 million will be released for developing UK’s First Regional Hydrogen Transport and Storage Network. This is aimed at creating thousands of skilled clean energy jobs in the regions of Merseyside, Teesside and the Humber.
This announcement is part of a wider Plan for Change strategy that intends to position Britain as a clean energy superpower and cut its general dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.
UK’s First Regional Hydrogen Transport and Storage Network Factsheet
Funding: more than £500 million government funding confirmed for hydrogen infrastructure.
Network components and infrastructure:
- Regional networks: The initial focus on the project is on creating regional networks. This is particularly in industrial heartlands such as Merseyside, Teesside, and the Humber.
- Pipelines: there will be the development of new dedicated hydrogen pipelines. Also, existing natural gas pipelines will be repurposed for hydrogen transport (e.g., Project Union by National Gas Transmission wants to set up a 2,000km hydrogen backbone by repurposing existing infrastructure).
Storage:
- Underground storage: geological formations will be utilized such as the salt caverns. For example HyNet is repurposing salt caverns in Cheshire for hydrogen storage. Additionally, the UK has significant potential for large-scale underground hydrogen storage.
Above-ground storage: Specialist tanks and vessels for smaller volumes will be erected. These are deemed suitable for both industrial use and refueling stations.
Also read: Essar Energy Transition to build the UK’s Largest Hydrogen Plant
Significance of the Funding
The new funding will boost the development of the UK’s first regional hydrogen transport and storage network. The network is expected to link producers with industrial users and power stations.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband stated that the investment is foreseen to “deliver jobs and energy security for Britain” and “bring in the investment that is needed across the country to deliver our Plan for Change”.
Additionally, the government stated that the investment placed will also support hydrogen’s role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as iron, steel, chemicals and heavy transport and also enable long-term energy storage for periods of peak demand.
The announcement made by the UK government builds on previous support for low-carbon hydrogen production. This is expected to be achieved through the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HAR) which includes £2 billion allocated to 11 projects under the first HAR.
Also read: Xlink Pauses UK-Morocco Undersea Cable Construction
Furthermore, Hydrogen UK head of policy Brett Ryan welcomed the announcement by UK government, calling networks “critical for a secure and resilient hydrogen sector”.
Also, Dr Emma Guthrie who is the CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, mentioned that the plan would “galvanise the UK’s regional hydrogen hubs” and support the “creation of skilled sector areas like Merseyside, Teesside and the Humber”.
Private Investment in UK’s Hydrogen Sector
The hydrogen sector has already attracted a total of £400 million of private investment across the UK. This includes projects in Milford Haven and High Marnham.
Lastly, in addition to hydrogen, the Spending Review confirmed financing for new nuclear and fusion developments. Additionally, it confirmed the support for the Acorn and Viking carbon capture projects.
Also read: Construction to begin soon on largest blue hydrogen plant in UK
