Commenting on today's announcement, David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK and Ireland’s energy network companies, said:
“With millions of pounds invested, we are already preparing Great Britain's networks for hydrogen and today's news alongside yesterday’s Energy Security Strategy sets a clear direction for the UK delivering the technologies of tomorrow. The ambition is there from government and industry alike to create the energy system we need for Net Zero.”
Notes to editor
- Read ENA's response to the Energy Security Strategy.
- There are mechanisms built into the RIIO regulatory regime which allow for changes in policy such as this to increase in investment, allowing the networks to operate in an agile and responsive manner.
- In building the networks of the future, we are working with the regulator and government to ensure the right infrastructure and resources are in place to make sure the UK remains one of the most resilient energy systems in the world whilst also delivering on our Net Zero commitments.
- Gas networks have already made significant progress towards safely using hydrogen in the gas network, expediting the shift to decarbonised gases with a number of projects underway.
- Energy Networks Association published Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan in January 2022 where we called for domestic 2030 hydrogen production target to double from 5GW to 10GW to ensure that as much hydrogen as possible is produced from sources here in the UK, to better protect homes and businesses from international gas market changes. We are pleased the government has listened and is backing this with new investment.
About us
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the energy networks. Our members include every major electricity network operator in the UK. The electricity networks are at the heart of the energy transition. They directly employ more than 26,000 people in the UK, including 1,500 apprentices. They are spending and investing £33bn in our electricity grids over the coming years, to ensure safe, reliable and secure energy supplies for the millions of homes and businesses reliant on power every day.
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