Energy and engineering heavyweights have launched a political alliance promoting hydrogen as the fuel to give Britain its quickest route to net zero by 2050.

BP, Shell and BOC are among companies uniting in the Hydrogen Taskforce. At today’s launch in Parliament, the lobbyists presented a menu of measures needed before 2025 to reduce the UK’s reliance on polluting natural gas.

Heading the Taskforce’s list of asks are:

£1 billion of public support for trials in storing, distributing and making hydrogen by low-carbon hydrolysis

One hundred hydrogen re-fuelling stations built before 2025 to gather technical experience

Tweaking the Gas Safety Management Regulations (GSMR) will be needed, the group argues, if hydrogen is to be pumped in greater volumes over existing gas networks.

BNP Paribas, Arup, storage specialists ITM Power, plus Arval, Cadent, Storengy, DBD and boiler makers Baxi complete the group’s membership.

The taskforce argues joined up promotion of hydrogen infrastructure across ministries and in government agencies is needed if hydrogen is to advance as a clean fuel solution.

BEIS energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng welcomed the taskforce’s formation, pointing out that British jobs stand to be created through extended hydrogen deployment here and overseas. Redcar MP Jacob Young said those jobs would help level up economic development in regions such as the North of England.

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