Designing a UK low carbon hydrogen standard

Working with industry, the UK’s ambition is for 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. There are a variety of different ways to produce hydrogen, and whether this hydrogen is low carbon or not depends on the energy inputs and technologies used throughout this process. Current hydrogen production in the UK is almost all derived from fossil fuels, using steam methane reformation from natural gas without capturing and storing any of the resulting carbon emissions. However, as we look to meet our carbon budget and net zero commitments, we will need to switch to alternative low carbon production methods.

The UK Hydrogen Strategy, published alongside this consultation, sets out our approach to growing a new low carbon hydrogen economy, and as part of this we need to ensure that the hydrogen being produced is sufficiently low carbon to help meet our decarbonisation goals. Following extensive engagement with industry, academia and regulators, we are now setting out options for an emissions standard that defines what is meant by ‘low carbon’ hydrogen, including:

• a methodology for calculating GHG emissions associated with hydrogen production
• a subsequent greenhouse gas emissions threshold against which different low carbon hydrogen production pathways would be measured

We would expect businesses seeking financial support from government through the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and the Hydrogen Business Model to meet the resulting standard.

This consultation is likely to be of interest to:

• those operating within the hydrogen value chain (production through to end use)
• the broader decarbonisation and environmental communities

Please read the accompanying report on Options for a UK low carbon hydrogen standard by E4tech (UK) Ltd and Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH.

Read the BEIS consultation privacy notice.

Please don’t send responses by post to the department at the moment as we may not be able to access them.