Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2023 to Question 180587 on Hydrogen: Heating, whether his Department’s criteria for deciding whether to enable the blending of hydrogen in the existing gas distribution network includes the potential impact of that decision on consumer bills.

Protecting consumers is a top priority for the Government, which is why it has covered around half of the typical household’s energy bill this winter. Value for money will be a key factor in determining whether to enable the roll-out of blending into the gas network. The Government is working closely with Ofgem and industry to explore how hydrogen could be fairly incorporated in bills and any final decision on blending will be made alongside a decision on how best to protect consumers.