Hydrogen energy is deemed to be one solution to achieving net zero targets by 2050 and a report by the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) expects the region could see an ‘economic boost’ of £3.4bn Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2030.

The report looks into understanding the economic impact of hydrogen activity in the North West and further suggests that 11,500 jobs could be created from the hydrogen sector.

According to the NWHA, the hydrogen value chain including production, infrastructure and end use with hydrogen production is estimated to have the greatest impact on employment and GVA.

Earlier this year the NWHA revealed that demand for low carbon hydrogen in the North West could support up to 2GW of hydrogen production by 2030 – a fifth of the Government’s target for the whole of the UK.

NWHA also has several projects already underway, including HyNet, Trafford Green Hydrogen, and Barrow Green Hydrogen.

The region's unique features, such as salt layers for hydrogen storage and offshore geology suitable for carbon dioxide storage, make it an ideal location for hydrogen adoption.

Dave Richardson, Interim Chair of the NWHA and Decarbonisation Solutions Director at Costain said: “With projects like HPP1, HyNet and Trafford Green Hydrogen currently underway, there’s already plenty of opportunities to get involved in the net zero transition, whether you’re starting out in your career or looking to transfer skills honed in other sectors.

“Developing a hydrogen economy will also help safeguard many thousand more jobs as industry in the region switches to this low carbon fuel on their decarbonisation journey.”

In January HyNet announced plans by EET Hydogen for the UK’s first large scale low carbon hydrogen production plant (HPP1), approved by Cheshire West & Chester Council and located at Stanlow Manufacturing Complex.

Construction is expected to begin later this year with the hub estimated to reduce the North West’s carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes each year.