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Hydrogen Supply Chains

09 September 2025

Lead MP

Tom Collins
Worcester
Lab

Responding Minister

Michael Shanks

Tags

TaxationClimateNorthern Ireland
Word Count: 12371
Other Contributors: 12

At a Glance

Tom Collins raised concerns about hydrogen supply chains in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

The lead MP asks the government to develop a clear and ambitious vision for building out transmission and storage of key vectors such as hydrogen and ammonia. He also urges blending hydrogen into natural gas supplies to facilitate large-scale production and market certainty.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Worcester
Opened the debate
The debate addresses the urgent need for change in the global energy system due to an overly warm summer and rapid transition towards renewable sources. The UK's energy demand is peaky, varying rapidly seasonally and throughout the day, especially for heat applications. This variation requires robust storage solutions and a strategic national clean energy reserve to navigate fluctuations in supply and demand.

Government Response

Michael Shanks
The Minister of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Betts—and to still be here as the Energy Minister. As I have often said, these debates are a great example not only of how we come together to talk about quite complex topics relating to the energy system, but of how this part of Parliament works. We once had consensus on quite a lot of things in respect of the future of our energy system, but that has somehow changed in the last few months. The Government has been clear that hydrogen will play a fundamental role in the future of our energy system by decarbonising heavy industry and transport sectors and providing large-scale storage for clean power baseload. We are acting now to seize the economic and industrial benefits of the hydrogen sector, with first HAR1 projects putting spades in the ground, accessing more than £2 billion over 15 years in revenue support from the hydrogen production business model and over £90 million in capital from the net zero hydrogen fund, creating over 700 direct jobs. Following the success of HAR1, we expect to announce successful projects in the second hydrogen allocation round in early 2026, including innovative projects that could support ammonia production in Shetland, produce new clean energy at Grangemouth and decarbonise lime kilns in the Humber area. Stressed the Government's commitment to a thriving low-carbon hydrogen economy aimed at decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors. Highlighted plans to unlock opportunities through apprenticeships and collaboration with devolved Governments in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
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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.