Policy paper

UK hydrogen strategy

This strategy sets out the approach to developing a thriving low carbon hydrogen sector in the UK to meet our increased ambition for 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. The page includes hydrogen strategy updates to the market.

Documents

UK hydrogen strategy (accessible PDF)

UK hydrogen strategy (accessible HTML version)

UK hydrogen strategy (print-ready version)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Hydrogen analytical annex

Details

Hydrogen is a low carbon solution which can help the UK to achieve net zero by 2050, and our Sixth Carbon Budget target by 2035.

As set out in the British Energy Security Strategy, government, working with industry, is aiming for 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 for use across the economy. This doubled our previous ambition from the 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution and the Hydrogen Strategy, with at least half of our new 10GW ambition coming from electrolytic hydrogen.

The UK’s first Hydrogen Strategy outlines:

  • how the UK will rapidly and significantly scale up production and lay the foundations for a low carbon hydrogen economy by 2030
  • how government will support innovation and stimulate investment in the 2020s to scale up low carbon hydrogen

The Strategy details how we will look to capture the economic benefits of growing the UK hydrogen economy, supporting innovation and stimulating investment to develop the supply chains and skills needed and create jobs and export opportunities for the UK.

It also sets out our twin-track approach to supporting both electrolytic ‘green’ and carbon capture (CCUS)-enabled ‘blue’ hydrogen production, alongside other potential production routes, which will enable the rapid growth of the sector while bringing down costs. We outline a comprehensive roadmap for the development of the wider hydrogen economy over the 2020s to deliver our now 10GW 2030 ambition.

Update: 14 December 2023

The December Hydrogen Strategy Delivery Update presents government hydrogen policy and funding progress since publication of the Hydrogen Strategy, updating our UK Hydrogen Economy Roadmap and sets out our future priorities and delivery timelines. This Update represents a special edition of our Hydrogen Strategy Update to the Market and summarises all other government hydrogen policy documents published in December 2023. 

Policy areas covered in this update are: 

  • updated UK Hydrogen Economy Roadmap 
  • production, including our roadmap for delivering up to 10 GW low carbon production capacity, funding low carbon hydrogen production and innovation in hydrogen production 
  • networks and storage: funding hydrogen transport and storage, strategic planning for hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure and setting out a hydrogen T&S networks pathway   
  • uses of hydrogen in industry, power, transport, and potentially heat in buildings and for blending 
  • creating a market: our funding across the value chain and regulatory frameworks  
  • economic benefits to the UK: supply chains, jobs, skills and investment 
  • research and innovation 
  • international trade in hydrogen 
  • international engagement
Published 17 August 2021
Last updated 14 December 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added Hydrogen strategy update to the market: December 2023.

  2. We have published the August 2023 Hydrogen strategy update to the market

  3. Hydrogen strategy update to the market (December 2022) published.

  4. Hydrogen Strategy update to the market July 2022 added.

  5. First published.