Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Deferred
Paragraph: 119
Hydrogen has an important role to play in decarbonising shipping and aviation, but parts of...
Recommendation
Hydrogen has an important role to play in decarbonising shipping and aviation, but parts of the transport industry want more clarity from Government about the intended role of hydrogen since there are significant infrastructure requirements and substantial costs that need to be met. There are also significant infrastructure requirements associated with hydrogen deployment in aviation and shipping but the likely ‘winner’ from amongst the potential low-carbon technologies in these sectors has yet to emerge and the choice will be internationally, rather than domestically, determined. In its response to this Report, the Government should set out its strategy for participation in international fora to shape a global outcome on the role of hydrogen in shipping and aviation.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for clarity but states it's too early to be prescriptive, preferring to gain insights from pathfinder projects throughout the 2020s before making firm decisions on the role of hydrogen.
Paragraph Reference:
119
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Government recognises the need to provide greater clarity, where possible, on the role of hydrogen in the future UK energy system. In addition to the Committee’s recommendation, there are similar proposals in the Net Zero Review (Jan 2022). The Net Zero Review calls for the government to develop an ambitious 10-year roadmap for the scaling up of hydrogen production and confirm the long-term funding envelope available for hydrogen. In 2023, the hydrogen economy is at an early stage of development. It would be challenging and risky to be overly prescriptive of hydrogen’s overall place in the UK’s decarbonisation plan, ahead of gaining insights from pathfinder projects throughout the 2020s. This is why the government is supporting early production, distribution, and use of low carbon hydrogen in the UK, and early anchor projects, which will be critical for generating more insights on the cost, benefits and impacts of using hydrogen as well as deployment of alternative decarbonisation options.