Huge Humber Hydrogen Plans Launched To Safeguard 4,000 Jobs

Local leaders and businesses are urging the UK Government to select the Humber region as Britain's first hydrogen cluster, a move that could safeguard 4,000 jobs and unlock £15 billion in investment.

Businesses and local leaders have been urged to throw their weight behind a hugely ambitious proposal to make the Humber region Britain’s first hydrogen cluster. The idea would safeguard 4,000 jobs locally and could see the creation of 700 apprenticeships over the lifetime of the project.

The call for support comes ahead of a decision by the UK Government on where to locate Britain’s first regional hydrogen cluster. The Humber Hydrogen plan was outlined at a launch event at The Deep in Hull last week.

According to new independent analysis, published by Humber Hydrogen at its launch, with up to 4,000 jobs would be safeguarded in critical industries such as steel and chemicals if Britain’s first hydrogen network was based here. And if the government selects the Humber as part of the process, it could unlock up to £15 billion of investment across the hydrogen value chain around the country – from production through to the storage, transportation, and use of hydrogen, as well as associated activities such as the manufacture of required materials and equipment.

Speaking on behalf of Humber Hydrogen, Ian Radley, Chief Commercial Officer at National Gas, said:

We’re calling on the UK Government to back the Humber as the obvious choice for Britain’s first hydrogen cluster. Developing this vital infrastructure in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire will bring significant investment to the region and create new opportunities for the communities that have powered British industry for generations.

The Humber’s skilled workforce has been instrumental to Britain’s industrial success for decades and stands ready to lead the next chapter, unlocking the UK’s potential as a global leader in hydrogen.

Creating a new future in energy and engineering

The Humber Hydrogen project could be transformational for young people looking to train in high-skilled industries of the future and build well-paid careers. Phoebe Fradley, a Centrica Process Operations Apprentice at Easington Terminal, said:

Hydrogen and low-carbon projects have the potential to completely transform the Humber. They can bring skilled jobs, investment, and long-term opportunities to the area while supporting the UK’s energy transition.

For my generation, this investment is vital. It shows there is a future in engineering and energy that is sustainable, innovative, and forward-thinking.

Gabriella Gill, a graduate at Centrica, was part of the panel at The Deep and explained the talented workforce around the region has the technical skills and determination to hit the ground running from day one:

We have the existing skills to deliver Humber Hydrogen today, we have been powering the UK for generations. We could power the next industrial revolution today.

World-leading energy security

The Humber Hydrogen project could help to ensure future energy security for the UK when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. Graham Stuart, the Beverley and Holderness Conservative MP, spoke at the launch and highlighted the challenge of storing renewable energy in batteries and the unique way hydrogen could solve issues for energy-intensive industries both nationally and locally.

He said:

Nowhere in the world has better natural, economic and geological assets. Humber Hydrogen could safeguard steel jobs in Scunthorpe and unlock future investment around the region. We have the opportunity here to be truly world-leading. Keadby could become the home to the world’s first gigawatt hydrogen power plant.

The MP explained there was an urgent need to decarbonise and Humber Hydrogen would accelerate this process. He urged the government to back the proposal and move more quickly through the selection process.

Creating a lasting legacy

It has support from across the political spectrum, with unions highlighting the chance to deliver good jobs and reinvigorate both urban and rural areas of the Humber region. Dave Douglas, Chair of the GMB Manufacturing and Energy Workers Panel, said:

The Humber Hydrogen project provides the perfect opportunity to reinvigorate a city once built on heavy industry and shipping through providing good, unionised jobs that deliver a twenty-first-century future for individuals, their families and their communities whilst simultaneously providing a just transition route for energy and manufacturing workforces.

The local leaders gathered at The Deep heard how hydrogen can enhance Britain’s energy security by providing flexible, cleaner energy for our power system and industries. As an alternative fuel to natural gas, it can be used to decarbonise power generation and hard-to-electrify industries such as heavy manufacturing, chemicals and steel production.

The first-of-its-kind hydrogen cluster in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire would be delivered by four of Britain’s leading energy companies – Centrica, Equinor, National Gas, and SSE Thermal. Together they bring expertise in hydrogen transport, production, usage and storage.

Dr Iain Harris, Managing Director of the Humber Energy Board, said the proposal could have a lasting legacy for generations to come:

Establishing the UK’s first hydrogen network in the Humber represents a generational opportunity for our region. The Humber, with its geological assets, world-class industrial infrastructure and skilled workforce, is uniquely positioned to lead the UK’s energy transition.

Humber Hydrogen, driven by partners with deep expertise in energy and related infrastructure, will create diverse jobs and skills opportunities, supporting the Government’s growth agenda in industries critical to the economy of both today and the future.

Around 65% of the UK’s total potential new-build storage capacity for hydrogen is in East Yorkshire. Natural salt caverns at Aldbrough are already used for gas storage and will be adapted and expanded with new caverns for hydrogen storage, helping to create one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world if the proposal is given the green light by government.