The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) has called on the Government to produce a clear policy framework for the delivery of low-carbon hydrogen that attracts investment, accelerates deployment of the technology, and sets out ambitious delivery targets for 2030 in its forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy.
Delays to the strategy mean that the industry has faced months of uncertainty, although the Government did set a target of 5GW production capacity from hydrogen by 2030 in its Energy White Paper. The REA argues that this target should be much more ambitious in order to drive growth in the sector.
The REA also said that the long-term goal for the Government should be to focus on forms of hydrogen that can deliver truly zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions. This means it should not only focus on blue and green hydrogen, but also other forms of low-carbon hydrogen such as biohydrogen or hydrogen from non-biogenic wastes.
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:
“The Hydrogen Strategy was due to be published in March, but delays have meant that the industry and potential investors have had neither the certainty nor the financial support needed from the government to enable mass-deployment of low-carbon hydrogen.
“The Government had previously set a target of 5GW production capacity from hydrogen by 2030 in its Energy White Paper, but this must be much more ambitious to drive growth in the sector.
“There is an opportunity with the upcoming Hydrogen Strategy for the UK to position itself as a leading producer and exporter of low-carbon hydrogen. However, this can only be realised if the Government is bold in its targets and will set out the clear policy framework that is required.”
