Comment on hydrogen report by Commons Science and Technology Committee

Commenting on a report on the potential use of hydrogen in the UK by the Commons Science and Technology Committee [1], Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: “We can’t drill for hydrogen, nor harness it with panels or turbines. We have to make it. All but a tiny fraction of the world’s hydrogen production currently uses fossil fuels – which is why oil and gas companies are keen to cast it as a catch-all cure for climate change.

“Green hydrogen has a big role to play in our net zero future for stuff with no easy alternatives, like industry, heavy vehicles, and shipping. Less expensive, more efficient clean solutions already exist for things like heating our homes. If we want to cut emissions and bills quickly, evidence points to heat pumps – three to five times more efficient than burning gas, without producing air pollution. Not to mention getting our boilers ready for a gas that in all likelihood won’t even be available during most boilers’ lifetime.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Commons Science and Technology Committee hydrogen report was published on 19 December.

For more information:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net