Page 14 - Gi_May2022

the struggle for energy security

THE INDUSTRY RESPONDS Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:
“We are thrilled that the government has
doubled down on hydrogen by increasing
Following the release of the strategy, “Without help to insulate their homes the production target to 10GW, recognising
IGEM’s CEO Ollie Lancaster said: to bring down gas bills there may be little that hydrogen is a key part of the net zero
“With the gas system currently prospect they can afford to keep their transition. This new goal will allow industry
underpinning energy demand and homes warm.” to unleash investment, bring down costs
delivering a significant flexibility service and widen the use-case for hydrogen,
today, I’m really pleased that the Likewise, Carl Ennis, CEO of Siemens exploring its potential in transport, heavy
government is doubling the ambition for GB & Ireland and Chair of Net Zero industry and to heat homes.”
low carbon hydrogen and making clear North West, said there was still scope
its intention for hydrogen’s use in homes, for improvement in terms of energy Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, said:
industry and transport. efficiency. He said: “We welcome the government’s boost for
“IGEM supports the adoption of a “The UK needs a mixed and dynamic renewables and nuclear and the focus on
secure and diverse multi-vector system for energy policy to ensure secure and kick-starting the hydrogen economy.
net zero, with major roles for hydrogen, affordable energy and manage the “This will help us reduce our
wind, nuclear, energy efficiency and transition to net zero. While the strategy dependency on foreign gas and, done
demand response that are optimised for provides greater certainty about the UK’s properly, could help make us a net
lowest total system cost and balanced major generating priorities, which will exporter of energy, boosting our economy
across local, regional and national levels. help to unlock investment and innovation, and creating well paid, highly skilled jobs.
“Like natural gas today, hydrogen offers there remains much to do to drive up We look forward to working closely with
a multi-sector role, reaching customers energy efficiency and leverage the benefits the government to do everything we can to
everywhere through our climate-resilient of local energy systems.” bring this strategy to life.”
gas grid. Our thousands of individual
members, and hundreds of supply chain RenewableUK’s CEO Dan McGrail said: Shell CEO Ben van Beurden, said: “This
company members, stand ready to “The renewables industry is ready and is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to
engineer this sustainable gas future to keep able to work with government to deliver ensure an orderly transition to net zero
cumulative emissions as low as possible.” the ambitions set out in the new Energy while bolstering the UK’s energy security
Security Strategy. Renewables can deliver and Shell is ready to play our part. We
David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy new, low-cost power quicker than any other plan to invest up to £25 billion in the
Networks Association, which represents option and wind will be at the heart of a UK energy system over the next decade
the UK and Ireland’s energy network secure, affordable net zero energy system. subject to board approval, and more
companies, said: “Faced with a number “Scaling up our ambitions for than 75 per cent of this is for low and
of challenges, the government’s plans to renewables, and increasing speed of zero-carbon technology. Offshore wind,
strengthen energy security by boosting delivery, will help us cut bills and be hydrogen and CCS will all be critical, but
clean power and doubling the UK’s more energy independent. The sector is we need the right policy frameworks in
hydrogen production targets are welcome. investing tens of billions of pounds in place. We look forward to working with
“Having shown our ability to mobilise cheap wind power, as well as cutting- government on the important detail in
over £300 million of early investment in edge green hydrogen and floating wind order to make this a reality.
energy networks for a green recovery from technology, so that the UK can reduce
Covid-19, the UK’s networks are ready our dependence on gas. Green investment John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid,
to move with the same urgency to deliver is creating tens of thousands of jobs said: “There’s no doubt that this is a crucial
these new ambitions and continue to across the UK to support levelling up and moment for the energy sector. A strategy
ensure security of supply. reaching net zero faster.” with clean energy at its heart is critical.
“However, we are concerned that Net zero is achievable and affordable and
planning reforms underway don’t Deirdre Michie OBE, Chief Executive is a clear route to long-term resilience. We
fully reflect the needs of the network of Offshore Energies UK, said: “We are must now collectively focus on delivery – we
infrastructure necessary to connect new pleased that the government’s strategy are ready to collaborate with government,
generation and support new demand. If recognises the vital role of the UK’s the regulator and industry to ensure
unresolved, this is a significant barrier to offshore energies sector in supporting this strategy delivers a clean, fair and
achieving the government’s aims.” energy security and the transition to affordable energy transition.”
net zero. It will be crucial to ensuring
The Energy and Climate Intelligent Unit our 2050 Paris Agreement climate David Parkin, Project Director for
(ECIU) highlighted that the government’s commitment stays on course. HyNet, said: “From the mid-2020s, HyNet
Energy Security Strategy took “very “Through the North Sea Transition will begin to produce low carbon hydrogen
limited steps on energy efficiency”. It noted Deal, the first of its kind by any G7 in the heart of the North West. This will
that the home energy efficiency scheme nation, we have a blueprint for delivering rapidly enable vital industry to switch
ECO could have been expanded to allow security of energy supply through oil and away from fossil fuels to produce low
an estimated 22,500 homes to benefit from gas, while accelerating crucial cleaner carbon products – from food to chemicals
insulation upgrades. energies like offshore wind, hydrogen and and from cars to glass.
carbon capture. We recognise that this “By 2030, industry in the region will
Sepi Golzari-Munro, Deputy Director is an important moment in the energy have reduced their carbon dioxide
at ECIU, said: “Soaring gas prices are transition and this challenge requires emissions by a total of 10 million tonnes
responsible for adding at least £500 to everyone and every level of government every year – a quarter of the region’s
energy bills, forcing another 2.5 million across the UK to be involved if this plan is entire emissions - the equivalent of taking
households into fuel poverty. to succeed.” four million cars off the road.”

14

21/04/2022 11:20
EnergySecurityStrategy.indd 3 21/04/2022 11:20
EnergySecurityStrategy.indd 3