UK Hydrogen Action Plan targets scale of demand and energy security
- REDAÇÃO H2RADAR
- May 7
- 2 min read
Faced with a global climate of climate pressures, unstable energy markets and stringent carbon neutrality targets, the UK is positioning hydrogen as a centrepiece of its energy transition. The new HEA – Building Hydrogen Demand – Action Plan details the strategic importance of hydrogen in increasing the resilience, flexibility and security of the UK’s energy system, with the potential to generate billions of dollars in savings by 2050. The plan estimates that by 2030, the development of the hydrogen supply chain could create up to 12,000 jobs and attract around £11 billion in private investment, cementing the country as a global leader in the hydrogen economy.
While the UK has made notable initial progress in terms of hydrogen production, particularly with a focus on transport and storage infrastructure, the plan emphasises that the next critical step is to scale demand across three main fronts: industry, power and transport. Each of these areas presents specific challenges but also significant opportunities for decarbonisation, energy stability and economic growth.
Accelerating Demand: Infrastructure, Regulation, and Commercial Pilots
In the transportation sector, one of the plan’s focuses, hydrogen is seen as a promising solution for decarbonizing various modes of transportation, from heavy-duty trucks to trains and vessels. However, the plan’s authors note that government support for hydrogen use in ground transportation has been inconsistent at best. In response, the plan proposes developing a National Hydrogen Strategy for Transportation, including clear deployment and emissions reduction targets, as well as greater flexibility for technologies such as fuel cells and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines.
Another critical point is the need to reform the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which, according to the plan, has not met its objectives regarding hydrogen. The authors suggest not only expanding the scope of eligible technologies, including low-carbon options such as those covered by the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard (LCHS), but also simplifying the certification processes to accelerate the commercial viability of these solutions.
Furthermore, the plan highlights the importance of pilot projects as key elements to reduce technology costs and demonstrate large-scale operational viability. These projects are crucial to establishing the safety and reliability of hydrogen as an energy source, providing critical data for future regulations and enabling technical advances that can be replicated in commercial settings.
