UK slips down international rankings for hydrogen progress

From second internationally in 2021 to eighth in 2023, the International Hydrogen Progress Index from ENA (Energy Networks Association) and Hydrogen UK reports that despite a doubling of the production capacity target, and having the most mature portfolio of projects, the UK has been slow to finalise the policies and supporting mechanisms required to take hydrogen projects forward.

According to the index, in 2021, guided by a hydrogen strategy from government that set out commitments, proposals for funding arrangements and timelines, the UK was second to South Korea in making progress towards using hydrogen to achieve net zero goals.

Since then, missed opportunities to pass necessary legislation and political uncertainty around the policies and funding arrangements to support the UK’s hydrogen roll-out means that no major projects have progressed to the ‘Final Investment Decision’ stage in that time.

“Policy delays and lack of clarity from government has slowed the progression of low-carbon hydrogen projects,” Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK said in a statement. “We are still waiting for the Energy Bill to be passed, which was introduced to Parliament over a year ago. The UK has the capability and innovation to be a global hydrogen leader, and we urge government to prioritise our recommendations to achieve this.”