Page 8 - Gi flipbook August 2018

NEWS | GOVERNMENT

GDNs support creation of

Parliamentary group for hydrogen

AN ALL-PARTY Experts say hydrogen shows huge
PARLIAMENTARY Group potential as an energy vector
on hydrogen has been
setup with the backing of
the four gas distribution
networks (Cadent, Northern
Gas Networks, SGN and
Wales & West Utilities).
The cross-party group
of MPs and peers will
focus on “raising awareness
of, and building support
for large scale hydrogen
projects” such as conversion
to a hydrogen domestic gas
grid that will enable the UK
to meet decarbonisation
targets set through the
Climate Change Act and the
Paris Agreement.
Also joining with the gas
networks is the Energy and that will lead to further (CCUS) capability and will
Utilities Alliance (EUA), carbon reductions. reduce carbon emissions
a not-for-profit trade The creation of this by more than one million GARETH MILNER
association that provides APPG comes off the back tonnes every year, which
a leading industry voice of growing industry and is the equivalent of taking
helping shape the future government interest in 600,000 cars off the road.
policy direction within the the potential of hydrogen The creation of the
sector, reports Network. conversion. In 2016, the H21 APPG has also received the
Claire Perry, Minister Leeds City Gate project first backing of Unison and the
for Energy and Clean demonstrated the technical GMB, who both support Claire Perry, Minister for
Growth, has welcomed and economic feasibility the development of large Energy and Clean Growth
the establishment of the of conversion projects, scale hydrogen projects due
APPG on hydrogen. She and recently Ofgem gave to their ability to create and
said: “Hydrogen shows huge funding of £9 million to sustain thousands of jobs. opportunities and position
potential as a vector in a Northern Gas Networks The APPG will be chaired the UK as a global leader in
clean, safe, flexible, future on behalf of the UK gas by Anna Turley, Labour MP green technology.
energy system; which is distribution networks for Redcar and a member “This group will work
why we’re investing over to support the further of the Business, Energy to raise awareness of
£60 million in hydrogen development of their plans and Industrial Strategy the latest research and
projects as part of for converting the gas Select Committee. She said innovations in hydrogen
our modern industrial grid from natural gas to a conversion to hydrogen technology, and work
strategy. The creation hydrogen. would be great for her constructively with
of this group shows the There is also growing constituency, as well the central government, local
increasing excitement political and industry country as whole. authorities and industry to
around hydrogen and the backing for a project led “The Tees Valley area support its development”.
role it can play in meeting by gas network Cadent to strongly supports the Alan Whitehead MP,
the Clean Growth Grand use hydrogen to power development of large Shadow Minister for Energy
Challenge.” industry and heat homes scale hydrogen projects, and Climate Change, said:
It is claimed that a in North West England. as we already produce 50 “We strongly welcome
conversion to hydrogen Operating by mid 2020s, per cent of all hydrogen this new APPG. We expect
would drastically reduce UK HyNet North West will produced in the UK. hydrogen technology to
carbon emissions, sustain create 5,000 jobs, power “I’m excited about the play a key role in clean
and create thousands heavy industry and help potential of hydrogen heavy transport and cutting
of high-quality jobs, and heat two million homes. It to enable the country to emissions in the heating
trigger innovations in other involves the creation of the significantly decrease our sector. I look forward to
industries such as transport UK’s first carbon capture carbon emissions, create speaking at the APPG on
and electricity generation utilisation and storage lots of good long-term job this important topic.” ■

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News.indd 3 19/07/2018 12:46