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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
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.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Acknowledged the cross-party consensus on hydrogen, emphasised the importance of gas in our energy system and urged the Government to make decisions quickly regarding blending. Highlighted the challenges faced by Aberdeen's hydrogen bus fleet and the need for resolution.
Claire Young
LD
Thornbury and Yate
The UK has the potential to be a world leader in green hydrogen production due to its offshore wind resources. However, there is a lack of capital funding compared to competitor regions, slow response to market developments, and inadequate infrastructure investment.
Roz Savage
LD
South Cotswolds
Hydrogen can play a central role in achieving net zero, offering benefits like reducing the need for oversized solar farms and providing economic opportunities. In her constituency, companies like Wild Hydrogen and ZeroAvia are leading innovation.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Hydrogen buses are an excellent example of how hydrogen can reduce pollution. The hon. Member agrees that promoting hydrogen, especially in transport, is crucial during difficult times.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
The Member highlighted the importance of ammonia in the future energy mix as a vital asset for agriculture. He agreed that hydrogen could support hard-pressed farmers across the UK by providing direct injection into the agricultural fertiliser chain. The MP mentioned the production of ammonia from hydrogen which could help alleviate farmer's concerns over increased fertiliser prices. The UK has a great export opportunity in promoting the manufacture of fertiliser out of ammonia. Asked the Minister to check proposed grid improvements against possible strategic sites for hydrogen production.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
He highlighted the importance of infrastructure to match technology in fully exploiting hydrogen, using Wrightbus as an example. He mentioned that Germany's focus on synchronizing with necessary infrastructure has enabled it to sell many hydrogen buses.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Inquired about opportunities for apprenticeships within the growing hydrogen sector, stressing the importance of benefiting all parts of the UK.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Discussed the potential of Teesside's industrial cluster to deliver a quarter of the Government’s 6GW 2030 target. Highlighted the importance of community involvement, fair pay, skills training, and local investment in hydrogen projects.
Michael Shanks
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Acknowledged the need to invest in the energy grid while strategically planning its future integration with hydrogen production. Emphasized reducing constraint payments and making efficient use of clean energy.
Sadik Al-Hassan
Lab
North Somerset
He agreed on the need for investment in regulatory environments and a clear road map for hydrogen development, citing £16 million as offering value for money.
Tom Collins
Lab
Stockton North
Clarified the current regulatory framework for hydrogen certification, mentioning trials in Scotland. Emphasised the importance of hydrogen blending and its viability for household heating. The hon. Member agreed that producing hydrogen near renewable electricity sources would bring down costs and thanked him for raising the issue of geographical constraints. Expressed gratitude for the debate's focus on hydrogen strategy and industry partnership, highlighting its economic benefits and technological progress.
Bath East
The UK's domestic hydrogen industry contributes £8.4 billion to the economy and has potential for 60,000 new jobs by 2050. Emphasises ZeroAvia’s work in retrofitting aircraft engines with hydrogen electric technology. Stressed the importance of continuing to look into hydrogen as a transition fuel for heating. Mentioned successful trials in Scotland and innovation at the University of Bath in hydrogen aviation projects. Encouraged engagement with the south-west hydrogen hub for great work on providing hydrogen across the region and sectors.
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.