North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) has unveiled a comprehensive study indicating that the demand for low carbon hydrogen in North West England could drive up to 2GW of hydrogen production by 2030.
This goal represents a substantial fifth of the UK government’s overall target for hydrogen production across the nation. The findings underscore the region’s pivotal role in spearheading the hydrogen revolution, with industry, power generation, transport, and heating buildings expected to be the primary drivers.
The primary objective of the study is to position the North West as a hydrogen hub, aligning with the UK’s broader strategy to become a global leader in hydrogen technology. With the region being one of the first two decarbonized energy clusters endorsed by the UK government, the HyNet North West initiative has been designated as a Track-1 Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage (CCUS) cluster. This strategic backing positions the North West as a key player in the national drive toward hydrogen adoption.
The North West is already witnessing the implementation of various hydrogen projects, ranging from green hydrogen initiatives and hydrogen-powered buses to trials of hydrogen in industrial processes and salt cavern hydrogen storage. These diverse projects collectively contribute to establishing the region as a pioneer in hydrogen technology. Notably, member EET Hydrogen’s recent achievement of planning permission for the UK’s first large-scale, low carbon hydrogen production plant at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex marks a significant milestone.
The study’s findings project a transformative impact on the North West’s energy landscape, predicting that the region could support up to 7.5GW of hydrogen production by 2050.
