Centrica, a major innovator in low-carbon energy and the UK energy supply, has joined the Hydrogen Taskforce.
The Hydrogen Taskforce has welcomed another member to its growing coalition of the UK’s largest organisations that operate and innovate in and across the hydrogen sector. Centrica will be adding its extensive experience in providing low-carbon and sustainable energy to the UK.
The company – which currently engages in helping customers run their world more sustainably through smart metering, green energy tariffs, a suite of HIVE smart home products and EV charging solutions – is also exploring the role the Rough gas field could play in the future by repurposing it into a hydrogen storage facility, which could help generate employment in the North-East of England.
The Taskforce welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that the Government is committed to developing 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 and £240 million to support new hydrogen production facilities, as part of its plan for a ‘Green Industrial Revolution’. Centrica has a significant role in meeting the UK’s ambitions, creating green jobs and ensuring that the UK reaches its Net Zero ambitions by 2050.
Other members of the Taskforce include Arup, BP, Shell, Northern Gas Networks and ITM Power and the group is working closely with key stakeholders in Government to ensure that the forthcoming UK Hydrogen Strategy is reflective of the ambition of industry in the UK.
The Taskforce has been providing evidence to the Government on how hydrogen can support the UK’s economic recovery, post-COVID-19. Its landmark economic impact assessment, published in August 2020, forecasted that hydrogen could be worth up to £18bn to the UK and create 75,000 jobs across the UK economy by 2035.
