10 projects from the first phase of the UK Government’s flagship hydrogen programme (HAR1) have been given the green light to begin construction.
In an update to the hydrogen market, the government has confirmed that 10 projects from the first phase of its flagship hydrogen programme – Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) – can begin construction, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.
Over 700 skilled jobs will be created in Britain’s industrial heartlands, as the first commercial-scale HAR1 projects signed long-term contracts to fuel heavy industry with clean, homegrown energy.
This means spades can now enter the ground across the country, marking a major boost to the UK’s hydrogen industry and creating highly skilled jobs in industrial cities and regions such as South Wales, Bradford (North West), North Scotland, and Teesside (North East).
HAR1 projects accelerating a low-carbon transition
The HAR1 projects will support British industry in transitioning away from fossil fuels towards domestically produced low-carbon hydrogen, thereby reducing emissions from heavy industries such as steel, glass, and heavy transport.
The HyMarnham project in Newark, Nottinghamshire, has already started construction. The project is transforming the old High Marnham coal-fired power station into a clean energy hub by using hydrogen to decarbonise waste disposal operations.
The Cromarty Hydrogen Project in Northeast Scotland is another of the 10 projects. The project’s 3 5MW electrolysers – which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen – will power local industrial users, including distilleries.
Opportunities for economic growth
The HAR1 projects are expected to create over 700 jobs, including roles for apprentices, graduates, pipefitters and engineers.
They are also expected to attract over £400m of private capital investment, which has been committed between 2024 and 2026, driving economic growth and British innovation through the Plan for Change.
The update comes as Andrex and Kleenex producer Kimberly-Clark announces that it will be the first major consumer goods company in the UK to make a significant commitment to green hydrogen.
Kimberly-Clark, together with energy partners HYRO, Carlton Power, and Schroders Greencoat, will invest a combined £125m in HAR1 projects at two plants in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and Northfleet, Kent.
“This government is rolling out hydrogen at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon,” stated Minister for Industry Sarah Jones.
“Hydrogen will help us cut industrial emissions and support Britain’s industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in our industrial heartlands.”
Hydrogen as part of Britain’s industrial renewal
Today’s announcement follows the Spending Review, which saw an extra £500m confirmed for the first-ever hydrogen transport and storage network as part of Britain’s industrial renewal, connecting hydrogen producers with vital end users, including power stations and industry for the first time.
The government has also announced that it will consult on transmission-level hydrogen blending – assessing the economic and technical feasibility of blending hydrogen into the networks that form the backbone of Britain’s gas system, before it is safely transported into homes and businesses.
Hydrogen transmission blending has the potential to reduce costs for hydrogen production projects and the broader energy system. The consultation will also gather evidence to assess whether hydrogen blending could lower consumers’ energy bills.
Lucy Whitford, Managing Director of RES UK&I, explained: “Green hydrogen, created using British low carbon energy, will revolutionise how we power industry, helping the UK to build a globally competitive, zero carbon economy in the process.”
