The UK public want to see the government invest in hydrogen infrastructure.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) released polling, carried out for it by YouGov, which showed 74% of people would support investment into hydrogen infrastructure. Renewable energy and clean technology was cited as the number one sector for creating long-term growth for the UK’s economy by 47% of respondents, some way ahead of manufacturing (27%) and financial services (24%).
There was also a certain level of support (36%) for a levy of around £100 on the average household energy bill to pay for hydrogen energy infrastructure. Though a greater number of respondents said they would opposite it – 43%.
Where there is less support is for levies on energy bills that pay to convert existing gas grids over to hydrogen for home heating. Only a fifth (21%) believed this should happen. Meanwhile, just 12% said levies should support the industrial hydrogen sector. In contrast, 50% back levies that support renewable energy projects and 36% are in favour of levies paying to insulate low-income households.
Commenting on the findings, ECIU Energy Analyst, Jess Ralston pointed to how experts have ruled out hydrogen playing anything other than a small role in home heating and noted the government appears to have recognised the public do not see a levy on bills as the best way to get the industrial hydrogen sector off the ground – it recently dropped plans for an annual £120 levy on bills.
“That said,” Ralston continued, “They clearly see the merits of the UK developing a clean hydrogen industry and the rest of the world including Europe and Australia are already pressing ahead. There will only be a limited supply of hydrogen, so it’s much better used in industries that actually need it – like steel – than for heating where there are already solutions emerging.”
