The UK Hydrogen Strategy will be published “before the summer recess”, according to Energy Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
On 11 June, Trevelyan answered a question from Conservative MP, Peter Aldous, on when BEIS is planning to publish the strategy, as well as what assessment it has made of progress on expanding the UK’s hydrogen production capacity to date. With the House of Commons set to rise for summer recess on 22 July, it suggests the strategy will be published next month, with Trevelyan stating it will map out what is required to build a hydrogen economy fit for 2030, the Sixth Carbon Budget and beyond, while maximising economic benefits and supporting jobs and skills.
With regards to the second part of the question, Trevelyan noted the need for a “significant increase in production levels” of hydrogen to meet future energy needs and cited the publication of an expression of interest for the government’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 Competition as part of efforts to support further innovation in this area.
Trevelyan also assured that, alongside the strategy, the government will consult on policy instruments to further support an increase in low carbon hydrogen production, including the £240mn Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and the government’s preferred long-term, sustainable business model, which will be finalised in 2022.
