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Potential for a Hydrogen Village
24 May 2022
Lead MP
Justin Madders
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Lab
Responding Minister
George Freeman
Tags
EmploymentClimateEnergyStandards & Ethics
Word Count: 4882
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Justin Madders raised concerns about potential for a hydrogen village in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP asks the government to consider boiler manufacturers' commitment to selling hydrogen-ready boilers at current natural gas boiler prices without additional cost. He also inquires if more support is needed for hydrogen villages and suggests advancing two schemes rather than one to double learning opportunities.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Member is concerned about the transition to a hydrogen-based economy in his constituency, highlighting the need for industrial clusters like HyNet. He points out that Whitby in Ellesmere Port has been identified as an ideal location for a hydrogen village programme, with potential carbon capture of up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The Member expresses worries about ensuring public consent and addressing residents' questions regarding costs, safety, and disruption.
Jacob Young
Con
Redcar
Mr Jacob Young agrees with the importance of hydrogen as an alternative to other decarbonisation methods and highlights the potential for a hydrogen village project in Redcar. He argues that hydrogen represents an opportunity to decarbonise home heating while minimising disruption and cost to consumers compared to heat pumps.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked if the proposed hydrogen trial village in Whitby reflects the needs of an average community and highlighted that such trials are essential for clean energy initiatives to be shared across all regions of the UK.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Leicester South
The Member agrees with the need for a successful HyNet project, emphasising its importance in carbon capture and storage. She highlights the role of local geology in supporting such initiatives.
Government Response
George Freeman
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Bardell. I thank the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Justin Madders) and congratulate him on securing this debate. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Jacob Young) for making some powerful points. We are on the cusp of an exciting opportunity for the hydrogen economy, and the pilot is about making sure that we get the infrastructure right to roll it out across the country. The Government's key commitment is to double our ambition of low-carbon hydrogen production to 10 GW by 2030 as part of the green industrial revolution plan. This includes supporting industry to deliver a neighbourhood trial in Fife, supplying hydrogen to around 300 homes, and a village-scale trial converting 1,000 to 2,000 properties in Whitby or Redcar. Ofgem has published its decision to take forward two proposals for the next stage of development. We are working closely with Cadent and Northern Gas Networks on detailed plans for these trials while ensuring strong community engagement. Nobody would be forced to use hydrogen or pay extra. The Health and Safety Executive will need to confirm safety before any trial can proceed, and we are committed to additional consumer protections including transparency of information, fair treatment, and quality of service. We see blue and green hydrogen as complementary approaches rather than an either/or choice. Our decision on blending up to 20% hydrogen by volume into GB gas networks is scheduled for 2023, with blending expected to commence commercially from 2025 onwards. The consultation on hydrogen-ready boilers will be published soon, aiming to maintain current levels of gas boiler prices in the case of widespread roll-out and ensure a transition from boilers to heat pumps as part of upskilling our workforce.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.