According to new independent analysis, published by Humber Hydrogen at its launch event with senior local political and industry leaders in Hull, up to 4,000 jobs would be safeguarded in critical industries such as steel and chemicals if Britain’s first hydrogen network was based in the region. 

The figures also show that awarding the UK Government’s £500 million Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model to the Humber could support the creation of 700 apprenticeships over the lifetime of the project. 

Selecting the Humber could also unlock up to £15 billion of investment across the hydrogen value chain – from production through to the storage, transportation, and use of hydrogen, as well as associated activities such as the manufacture of required materials and equipment.

Speaking on behalf of Humber Hydrogen, Ian Radley, Chief Commercial Officer at National Gas, said: 

“We’re calling on the UK Government to back the Humber as the obvious choice for Britain’s first hydrogen cluster. Developing this vital infrastructure in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire will bring significant investment to the region and create new opportunities for the communities that have powered British industry for generations. The Humber’s skilled workforce has been instrumental to Britain’s industrial success for decades and stands ready to lead the next chapter, unlocking the UK’s potential as a global leader in hydrogen.” 

Pheobe Fradley, a Centrica Process Operations Apprentice at Easington Terminal, said: 

“Hydrogen and low-carbon projects have the potential to completely transform the Humber. They can bring skilled jobs, investment, and long-term opportunities to the area while supporting the UK’s energy transition. 

“For my generation, this investment is vital. It shows there is a future in engineering and energy that is sustainable, innovative, and forward-thinking.” 

Analysis published in June outlined how locating the UK’s first hydrogen cluster in the Humber would support more than 54,000 jobs during construction and sustain 900 jobs during operation. It could also result in £17 billion of economic growth from the construction and operations of the cluster’s hydrogen assets. 

Dave Douglas, Chair of the GMB Manufacturing and Energy Workers Panel, said:

“GMB Union has long called for Government investment in our industrial heartlands. The Humber Hydrogen project provides the perfect opportunity to reinvigorate a city once built on heavy industry and shipping through providing good, unionised jobs that deliver a twenty-first-century future for individuals, their families and their communities whilst simultaneously providing a just transition route for energy and manufacturing workforces.” 

Dr Iain Harris, Managing Director of the Humber Energy Board, said: 

“Establishing the UK’s first hydrogen network in the Humber represents a generational opportunity for our region. The Humber, with its geological assets, world-class industrial infrastructure and skilled workforce, is uniquely positioned to lead the UK’s energy transition.

“Humber Hydrogen, driven by partners with deep expertise in energy and related infrastructure, will create diverse jobs and skills opportunities, supporting the Government’s growth agenda in industries critical to the economy of both today and the future.” 

Hydrogen can enhance Britain’s energy security by providing flexible, cleaner energy for our power system and industries. As an alternative fuel to natural gas, it can be used to decarbonise power generation and hard-to-electrify industries such as heavy manufacturing, chemicals and steel production. It can also be used as a feedstock for high-value products such as ammonia and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 

The first-of-its-kind hydrogen cluster in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire would be delivered by four of Britain’s leading energy companies – Centrica, Equinor, National Gas, and SSE Thermal. Together they bring expertise in hydrogen transport, production, usage and storage to support the region’s industries, reduce emissions, and create jobs. 

The Humber is the leading candidate for the UK Government’s £500 million Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model thanks to its strong hydrogen industry and potential with: 

• Six power stations in the region, investing in more than 4GW hydrogen-to-power – that’s more than 10% of Britain’s average electricity demand. 
• Two blue and five green hydrogen projects, owned by different producers, delivering approximately 3GW of low carbon hydrogen. 
• 65% of the UK’s total potential new-build storage capacity for hydrogen is in East Yorkshire. Natural salt caverns at Aldbrough are already used for gas storage and will be adapted and expanded with new caverns for hydrogen storage, helping to create one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world.

About the data

The analysis reflects how we anticipate the Humber Hydrogen network – its projects and up to 90 miles of pipeline - will operate at inception. The economic impact analysis undertaken as part of this study calculates direct, indirect and induced GVA and job impacts associated with hydrogen production, transport and storage, and hydrogen to power projects, considering development (2026-28), construction (2029-38) and a 30-year operational phase starting from 2033. Emissions reductions are estimated based on the carbon intensity of natural gas being displaced by peak annual production of low-carbon hydrogen from 2040.

The data does not reflect the Humber’s CCS projects, hydrogen for home heating, hydrogen for heavy transport, nor future expansion potential.

Additional future users may emerge and add greater value but are not reflected in this analysis, to reduce unsubstantiated assumptions.

We have developed these figures with the support of KPMG LLP using a fact-based quantification of benefits using industry benchmarks and data provided by the Humber Hydrogen partnership.