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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