The North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) has unveiled a manifesto aimed at propelling the region to the forefront of the hydrogen economy.
This document outlines key recommendations crucial for the UK to seize the hydrogen opportunity, which promises to generate 100,000 jobs and £13 billion of Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2050.
The NWHA’s manifesto calls for ambitious targets, urging the government to set a national goal of 20GW of hydrogen production by 2035, with the North West poised to contribute up to 6GW. This ambitious vision aligns with efforts to accelerate projects in carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) clusters to meet production targets effectively.
Critical to the manifesto is the acceleration of hydrogen transport and storage initiatives alongside interim measures to expedite early infrastructure development. Additionally, the document underscores the importance of a robust national supply chain and skills strategy tailored to regional strengths, essential for navigating the transition to a net-zero future.
The NWHA advocates for a review of planning processes to provide clear direction for hydrogen infrastructure development and calls for an enabling regulatory environment to spur investment in electricity infrastructure, supporting the burgeoning green hydrogen sector.
With the North West positioned as a frontrunner in decarbonized energy clusters, boasting over 4GW of production capacity in development, including pioneering projects like HyNet, Trafford Green Hydrogen, and others, the region stands poised to deliver 6GW by 2035. However, timely action and government support are imperative for realizing this potential.
The manifesto’s launch precedes Hydrogen Week 2024, led by the NWHA, a national initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and government to harness the full potential of hydrogen. As the UK endeavors to become a global leader in hydrogen, initiatives like Hydrogen Week play a pivotal role in driving awareness and catalyzing action toward a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future.
