Notice

Industrial Fuel Switching Programme: successful projects

The Industrial Fuel Switching Competition provides funding for the development and demonstration of pre-commercial fuel switching and fuel switch enabling technologies, to help industry move from high to low carbon fuels.

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To achieve net zero by 2050, industrial emissions must reduce by two-thirds by 2035 and at least 90% by 2050 (compared to 2018). Switching industry from high to low carbon fuels and ensuring relevant technologies are ready for large-scale deployment from the 2030s will be critical in meeting the UK’s commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.

The £55 million Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, part of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), supports innovation in the development of pre-commercial fuel switching and fuel switch enabling technologies for UK industry. This includes fuel switches from high carbon fuels to hydrogen, electricity, biomass/waste, and other low carbon fuels.

Through Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) contracts, 100% funding is provided to develop for pre-commercial solutions, which are at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to 7 at the start of the project.

This funding is divided into 3 lots of fuel switch and fuel switch enabling technologies, for:

  • hydrogen
  • electrification
  • biomass, waste, and other net zero compatible fuels

The competition is split into 2 phases:

Phase 1: Feasibility Study (closed)

Phase 1 is closed to applicants. Read details of the successful Phase 1 projects.

Under Phase 1, up to £5.6 million was awarded to 21 projects, with £50,000 to £300,000 available per application.

This funded feasibility studies into the development of fuel switch and fuel switch enabling technology concepts, to further understand the performance and the market potential of the technologies.

Phase 2: Demonstration (closed)

Phase 2 is closed to applicants. Read details of the successful Phase 2 projects.

Phase 2 was open to all industrial sectors and fuel switching technology developers, whether they took part in Phase 1 or not. It provides up to £52.5 million in funding to 13 demonstration projects, with £1 million to £6 million available per project. Projects will run until March 2025 and will further develop their industrial fuel switch or fuel switch enabling solution, to demonstrate their technology in a relevant industrial environment.

Published 31 May 2022
Last updated 28 June 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added summaries of successful projects for Phase 2, and the feasibility reports.

  2. First published.