Great Britain’s five gas networks have predicted their hydrogen innovation projects would create more than 13,000 direct jobs over the next decade, as well as over 11,000 in their supply chains.
The figures are set out in a new report as part of the Energy Networks Association (ENA)’s Gas Goes Green project, which summarises £6.8 billion of planed investment in rolling out hydrogen by 2032.
This includes £4.4 billion towards decarbonising Britain’s industrial clusters. This alone would create 17,000 jobs (9,000 direct and 8,000 in the supply chain), the report estimates.
The document also lists projects amounting to £2.2 billion focussed on ensuring the existing gas infrastructure is hydrogen-ready, which it says would create 6,700 new roles.
Meanwhile, £150 million has been allocated to projects guaranteeing the wider energy system and economy is ready for hydrogen, including blending pilots. This is expected to create over 700 jobs.
A further £19.5 million is proposed for transport and other projects, accounting for nearly 100 positions.
Chris Train, ENA’s Gas Goes Green champion, said: “For the first time, this report sets out the sheer size and scale of the economic and social opportunities that hydrogen innovation can deliver over the next ten years, creating new green, hydrogen super-skills in communities and companies across the country.
“With the recent publication of the government’s Hydrogen Strategy and the prime minister’s 10-Point Plan before that, the time is right for Ofgem to consider how it can unlock this investment, helping ensure that hydrogen plays its full part in fuelling Britain’s Green Industrial Revolution.”
Chris Manson-Whitton, of HyNet North West, added: “The UK has the innovation, skill and world leading infrastructure to be a global leader in the delivery of the hydrogen economy. Our leading industrial partners, such as those in the HyNet North West cluster, are committed to decarbonising their operations and products. Hydrogen enables them to do that, safeguarding jobs and attracting inward investment. As this report shows, network innovation underpins this transformation, also decarbonising our communities and transport systems, and creating thousands of skilled green jobs.”