Plan unveiled for hydrogen on Teesside to drive UK’s Net Zero goals

TEESSIDE’S potential future as a world leader in hydrogen has been outlined in a new document that lays out how the goal will be achieved.

Stakeholders, politicians and business leaders have been involved in the report A Vision for Hydrogen which sets out how the Tees Valley’s hydrogen sector will be at the heart of the world’s first Net Zero industrial cluster.

The Vision claims the area could become a centre of global significance in the production, consumption and export of low-carbon hydrogen, while supporting emerging carbon capture, utilisation and storage initiatives, safeguarding and creating thousands of high-quality jobs.

And by 2040, it sees Tees Valley as one of the world’s first decarbonised industrial clusters, supporting the UK’s goal of being Net Zero by 2050.

New production projects could see at least 2.5GW of hydrogen production capacity in Teesside by 2030 – a quarter of the government’s target of 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production by the end of the decade, (recently doubled from 5GW).

Building on existing strengths on Teesside will support the production and local use of hydrogen as a fuel and feedstock for current and new industries and businesses, helping them to decarbonise.

It could also play a role in accelerating the use of the fuel in transport and help position Teesside as the UK’s Hydrogen Transport Hub according to the report.

The Vision document was developed by a consortium consisting of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, Arup, bp, Kellas Midstream and Northern Gas Networks (NGN).

Tees Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our region is at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy ambitions, with transformative projects secured in low carbon and offshore sectors.

“Teesside already produces around half of the UK’s hydrogen, so we’re well-placed to become a leading force.

“This landmark study sets out how hydrogen will bring the well-paid, high-quality jobs of the future to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool as our green economy continues to grow.

“If we seize the opportunity that stands before us today, our region can be to hydrogen in the 21st century what it was to steel and chemicals in the 19th and 20th.”

Andy Mace, director at Arup, said: “We will need stakeholders to come together behind a shared vision of the Tees Valley as a hydrogen-powered SuperPlace, and to act collaboratively and coherently, driving the transition to an economic and energy engine room for the North and the UK.”