Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will undertake a consultation on how clean hydrogen can help cost-effectively decarbonise the UK economy.

The Government is committed to exploring the development of hydrogen as a strategic decarbonised energy carrier, alongside electricity and other decarbonised gases.

There are a number of workstreams underway in this area, involving regular engagement with industry and academic stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain to understand the potential of hydrogen deployment across the energy system, in line with our net zero commitments. A recent example is the newly formed Expert Group advising on the development of sustainable business models to support low carbon hydrogen production.

Specific policies and programmes may be subject to consultation in due course. We are currently considering options for formalising regular engagement between Government and Industry on hydrogen, with the key aim of stimulating activity in the 2020s that will test potential of hydrogen in meeting net zero.