Thames Estuary Growth Board Launches Hydrogen Route Map and Set to Support 9,000 Local Jobs and Generate GBP 3.8bn GVA
PR92548
LONDON. Oct. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--
"We are proud and excited to launch The Thames Estuary Hydrogen Route Map.
Through our Green Blue vision, our objective is to unlock GBP 190bn of national
growth potential by capitalising upon the unique built and natural assets of
the Thames Estuary. The Growth Board works tirelessly to identify and catalyse
new opportunities to create the cleanest and greenest river-side region
anywhere on the planet.
Over the past six months, we have looked across the Estuary to understand the
needs and opportunities and articulate the scope for a hydrogen ecosystem which
is compelling and capable of attracting multi-billion-pound investment. A
hydrogen ecosystem in the Estuary will have far-reaching, positive implications
not only for the region, but for the UK as a whole."
– Kate Willard OBE, Estuary Envoy and Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board
Today, The Thames Estuary Growth Board is launching The Thames Estuary Hydrogen
Route Map. This significant step forward in hydrogen energy in the UK will keep
the nation on track to net zero, support 9,000 jobs and deliver GBP 3.8bn GVA
to the UK economy by 2035.
The Hydrogen Route Map identifies where demand, supply, distribution and
storage opportunities exist; outlines requirements of the investment market and
pinpoints investment clusters; establishes a broad set of relationships with
key stakeholders; and highlights the competitive advantage of locating a
hydrogen ecosystem in the Estuary.
Nationally, this will keep the UK on target to net zero by reducing carbon
emissions by up to 5.9 million tons annually. Ahead of COP26, the Thames
Estuary is ready to play its part in international efforts to research, produce
and use clean energy.
The Estuary's position next to the capital and stretching out to the North Sea
means it is uniquely placed to deliver a hydrogen ecosystem. The region has a
wide range of potential end users across a number of industries, such as high
heat industrial, transport (road, rail, air and river), data, and heating, with
each starting to develop plans for their journey towards zero carbon.
Additionally, major infrastructure projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing
offer an opportunity to demonstrate fossil fuel-free alternatives for
construction. Crucially, in terms of storage, local demand for carbon dioxide
presents an opportunity for re-use. Lastly, the Thames is also the largest port
cluster in the UK, supported by a significant fleet of back-to-base logistics
operations situated in multiple port locations.
Across the Thames Estuary region, developments in hydrogen will unlock
substantial benefits for people and local economies, attracting more than GBP
2.2billion of investment, and supporting its levelling up through job creation.
The transition away from fossil fuels will help address issues of poor air
quality and improve health and wellbeing.
The benefits of hydrogen are abundant. Hydrogen is a clean, renewable energy
source in bountiful supply, with numerous sources to produce locally and a
sustainable production system. It's non-toxic and far more efficient than other
sources of energy. Hydrogen can be a key enabler of decarbonisation across the
heat and transport sectors, as well as energy-intensive industries such as
chemicals, oil refineries and power.
The Thames Estuary Growth Board commissioned Ikigai and DNV to develop this
Hydrogen Route Map following the Thames Estuary Hydrogen Summit in November
2020 attended by leaders and experts from industry, academia, transport and
energy, which revealed a clear appetite and demand for hydrogen in the region.
This week, the Thames Estuary will be calling on Government to back our Route
Map in the Comprehensive Spending Review by providing source funding to kick
off our Living Labs concept.
The UK Government is committed to delivering hydrogen at scale and plans to
work with industry to achieve 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity in
the UK by 2030. The Thames Estuary has the capability to power this ambition
and support the Government in becoming a global player in hydrogen energy,
owing to its natural and economic geography, and position as a strategic
investment partner.
The Thames Estuary Growth Board is a strategic investment partner to Government
and by commissioning bankable investment plans like the Hydrogen Route Map,
this supports the levelling up agenda and national recovery from Covid. This is
a compelling opportunity for investors to become part of the most amazing
hydrogen project anywhere on the planet.
For more hydrogen news visit our website: https://www.thamesestuary.org.uk.
Please contact ThamesEstuary-PR@msqpartners.com / +44(0)7588 123 160 for
further information.
Notes to the Editors
The Thames Estuary is the UK's biggest growth opportunity, with the potential
to add GBP 190bn GVA and create 1.3m jobs.
Kate Willard OBE was appointed by the Government to lead a dedicated Thames
Estuary Growth Board. The Board set out its vision in July 2020, entitled 'The
Green Blue', to realise the amazing potential of the Thames Estuary. It is
called 'The Green Blue' because the Board aims to create good, green growth
using the blue waterway of the Thames.
One year on, in July 2021, the Board launched the 'Green Blue Workplan',
outlining what the Board will do to deliver the 'Green Blue' vision, mapping
out focus areas for development in the region and key performance indicators.
The Board's priorities include building an Estuary-wide hydrogen ecosystem to
turbo-charge the Government's hydrogen and net zero ambitions; utilise the
Thames Freeport to attract inward investment, boost the national economy, and
unlock green initiatives; invest in transport infrastructure developments, as
well as utilising the river for both freight and passengers to ease congestion
and reduce pollution on the region's roads.
For more information on the Thames Estuary and to read The Green Blue Action
Plan and Workplan in full, please visit the Thames Estuary website:
www.thamesestuary.org.uk.
We're in a good place. Join us.
Source: Thames Estuary
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