The government has announced plans for a new certification scheme for green hydrogen which it believes will provide a boost both for the sector in the UK, and as a player in world markets.
There is currently no recognised way for producers of low carbon hydrogen to prove the credentials of their product. The government said introduction of a reliable method to demonstrate the emissions credentials of hydrogen will play a vital role in decarbonising the UK hydrogen sector, promoting cross-border trade and stimulating growth and jobs in green hydrogen.
The government will now begin consultation with industry, with the intention of introducing the certification scheme by 2025.
Further reflecting its hydrogen ambitions, and ahead of celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science this week, the UK government has extended the appointment of the country’s first hydrogen champion, Jane Toogood, for a further six months.
The hydrogen champion’s role is to bring industry and government together to accelerate the development of the UK hydrogen economy, and as part of her role Toogood has met with stakeholders across industry to assess opportunities and identify barriers to achieving this.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero minister Graham Stuart said: “Consumers and businesses care about investing sustainably. Thanks to this new scheme, investors and producers will be able to confidently identify and invest in trusted, high-quality British sources of low carbon hydrogen, both home and abroad.
“I look forward to working with industry as we deliver hydrogen as a secure, low carbon replacement for fossil fuels that will help us move towards net zero, secure jobs, and boost investment.”
Toogood said: “Hydrogen is an essential piece of the puzzle to decarbonise UK industry, support clean growth and improve our long-term energy security. It’s great to see progress being made towards setting up a UK certification scheme – this is key to growing a low carbon hydrogen economy.
“I am pleased to be continuing in the role as hydrogen champion and to share this news ahead of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. Over the next six months, my priority will be to ensure that industry and government work together to generate investment in the hydrogen economy, kickstart hydrogen production and develop a UK hydrogen supply chain.”
Today’s announcements build on the commitments made in the British Energy Security Strategy to double the UK’s hydrogen ambition to up to 10GW of new low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
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