A new wave of hydrogen powered projects have been shortlisted to help cut emissions and create thousands of jobs.

In total 27 hydrogen projects have been selected for the next stage of the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2) – supporting low-carbon hydrogen production in the UK.

Government says the industry has the potential to attract more than £1bn of private sector investment into the UK by 2029, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.

Hydrogen will help deliver a new era of clean energy across the UK and decarbonise emission-intensive industries.

It has already attracted £400m of private sector investment in towns and cities such as Milford Haven in Wales and High Marnham in Nottinghamshire, and is creating more than 700 direct jobs in construction and operations. 

The shortlist includes projects that could use hydrogen to help tackle the climate crisis by decarbonising their manufacturing and industrial practices, including ammonia production, new clean power generation, glass manufacturing, brick making, and sustainable aviation fuel production.

However, a project’s inclusion on the shortlist does not guarantee government support.

This shortlist builds on the success of the First Hydrogen Allocation Round which saw 11 projects being allocated more than £2bn in government funding.

Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said: “This much-anticipated announcement brings vital clarity to the UK’s hydrogen sector, providing a crucial boost for projects that will drive forward the country’s low-carbon transition.

“The funding support offered through HAR2 gives our members and the wider industry the confidence to gear up for delivery, unlocking investment, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.

“This is great news - not just for the hydrogen sector but for the UK’s ambition to become energy secure and a global leader in clean energy.”

Among those shortlisted is Hynamics, a 100% subsidiary of EDF Group specialising in hydrogen, and EDF Renewables UK, for phase two of their Tees Green Hydrogen project that will use electricity from low carbon sources to produce electrolytic renewable hydrogen.

This hydrogen will then be supplied to local industry to support decarbonisation efforts, leading to a significant reduction in industrial pollution.

Pierre de Raphelis-Soissan, CEO of Hynamics UK, said: “This long-awaited announcement is great news for Hynamics UK.

“It confirms the soundness of this project, which will help decarbonise local industries of the Tees Valley. Using hydrogen produced by electrolysis using electricity from EDF Group assets we will build a virtuous ecosystem that will benefit the area.

“We are grateful for the government’s confidence in this technology of the future.”

Click here for the full lists of shortlisted projects.