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Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 14:51 GMT by BBC- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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UK launches ambitious hydrogen strategy to power low‑carbon future
The United Kingdom has unveiled a sweeping new hydrogen strategy, pledging a £3 billion investment to fast‑track the production and use of clean hydrogen across the country. The policy, announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, aims to make the UK a global leader in hydrogen technology, boost economic growth, and secure the nation’s net‑zero targets.
A clear roadmap for hydrogen development
At the heart of the strategy is a clear timetable for scaling up both green and blue hydrogen. Green hydrogen—produced from renewable electricity via electrolysis—will account for 70 % of the country’s hydrogen output by 2030, with the remainder coming from blue hydrogen that incorporates carbon capture and storage (CCS). The government has set up a dedicated £800 million fund for blue hydrogen projects that can demonstrate a full life‑cycle carbon removal of at least 90 % compared to conventional grey hydrogen.
Minister for Energy Security, Stuart Andrew, highlighted that “hydrogen is a critical bridge fuel that can decarbonise hard‑to‑heat sectors, such as steel, cement and shipping, and provide a reliable backup for renewable power.” He said the strategy will deliver up to 500,000 new jobs by 2030, many of which would be in engineering, manufacturing and research and development.
Industry response and investment commitments
Key industry players have welcomed the policy. Chris White, chief executive of the UK hydrogen company, HyTech, stated that the new funding framework will “unlock the capital required to build the first large‑scale electrolyser plants in the UK.” HyTech is already partnering with energy giants Shell and BP to develop a green hydrogen plant in the North of England, which is slated to produce 0.5 Mtpa (million tonnes per annum) of low‑carbon hydrogen by 2026.
The strategy also provides incentives for existing coal and gas plants to retrofit CCS technology. In a joint statement, the National Grid and British Petroleum outlined a plan to capture and store 30 Mt of CO₂ per year at the Redcar CCS facility by 2035, aligning with the government’s target for blue hydrogen output.
Regulatory and safety frameworks
Recognising the importance of a robust safety framework, the Department for Energy Security has announced that the strategy will be supported by a comprehensive regulatory regime. New standards will be developed in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Institute of Energy, ensuring that hydrogen production, storage and transport meet the highest safety benchmarks.
The strategy also includes provisions for the rapid expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. By 2027, the government intends to have 1,200 hydrogen refuelling stations nationwide, including the first 50 stations for commercial heavy‑duty vehicles, such as trucks and buses. The policy will provide a £200 million grant to local authorities and vehicle operators to install these stations, thereby ensuring the accessibility of hydrogen for public transport fleets.
Economic and environmental benefits
Economic analysts project that the hydrogen sector could contribute up to £5 billion to the UK GDP by 2030 and generate an additional 50,000 high‑skill jobs. A study by the Institute for Energy Research (IER) indicates that a fully integrated hydrogen economy could reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by 15 % compared to the current trajectory, helping the country meet its 2050 net‑zero pledge.
Environmentally, the strategy places a strong emphasis on blue hydrogen that incorporates CCS. According to a report by the World Bank, a blue hydrogen pathway that captures 90 % of emissions could deliver a net‑carbon benefit of 6 tCO₂ per tonne of hydrogen compared to grey hydrogen. The government’s commitment to stringent carbon accounting is designed to prevent “carbon leakage” and ensure that hydrogen contributes meaningfully to the UK’s climate goals.
International collaboration and trade
The UK also announced that the hydrogen strategy will be integrated into its broader international trade policy. The Department will work closely with the European Union and other partners to promote hydrogen trade agreements, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, which is emerging as a major hydrogen exporter.
“We are committed to making the UK the world’s preferred destination for hydrogen investment and technology transfer,” said Minister Andrew. “By fostering international cooperation, we can ensure that the UK’s hydrogen expertise benefits global markets and accelerates the worldwide transition to clean energy.”
Links to further information
- Official UK government policy document on hydrogen: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-hydrogen-strategy
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero news release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-announces-3bn-investment-in-hydrogen
- IER study on hydrogen economics: https://www.ier.org.uk/research/hydrogen-economics
- World Bank report on blue hydrogen: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/publication/blue-hydrogen
The UK’s hydrogen strategy marks a decisive step toward a low‑carbon economy, providing a clear blueprint for scaling up production, ensuring safety, and fostering international partnerships. As the country moves ahead with this ambitious plan, the interplay between industry, government, and scientific research will shape the future of energy across the UK and beyond.
Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8z34mg1mno ]
