Welcoming the Chancellor’s Budget statement, Chris Clarke, Wales & West Utilities Energy Strategy Director said:
We welcome the Government’s renewed commitment to making sure economic growth is based on a foundation of sustainability, especially as the UK prepares to host the COP26 climate change conference. We also welcome the Government’s plans for investment in Wales, including £4.8 million for a hydrogen hub in Holyhead to pilot the creation of hydrogen using renewable energy and its use as a zero-emission fuel for Heavy Goods Vehicles.
Decarbonising heat is one of the biggest challenges we face in the energy sector. Repurposing our existing safe and reliable gas network to transport green gases like biomethane and hydrogen helps us get to Net Zero quicker, saving energy consumers £13bn a year compared to electrification alone.
We look forward to the publication of the Government’s Hydrogen Strategy, which we hope will be published as soon as possible.