What is the Hydrogen Valley?

Low carbon hydrogen will play a significant role in the future energy mix, be vital for the UK’s energy security, and offer the potential to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy transport, as well as be considered for residential heating alongside electrification.

The Hydrogen Valley programme is one of many hydrogen initiatives and is an important element of the development of hydrogen at a national level due to its key location across the middle of England.

Setting the scene

The aim of the programme is to establish a vision and kickstart the hydrogen economy in the programme region. This involves investigating the role of hydrogen in the future energy mix across a number of sectors and identifying the need for developing the necessary infrastructure to support this.

Our goal

The programme region is largely land-locked with little offshore wind potential. Therefore, a key part of the programme is to better understand how hydrogen could be produced locally as well as imported from future hydrogen production centres across the UK to meet local demand.

The Future

The programme will explore how to maximise the use of existing gas infrastructure to benefit the consumer through low-cost, widespread access to hydrogen – delivering the net zero energy system of the future while boosting local economies by supporting existing jobs and creating new jobs.
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Hydrogen Valley Objectives

Establish the hydrogen economy in the region to accelerate industrial decarbonisation

Attract hydrogen investments in the region to enhance socio-economic benefits associated with the energy transition

Explore infrastructure opportunities to secure long-term, low-cost hydrogen in the region

Launch date: 29th of March

Creation of ‘Hydrogen Valley’ could bring jobs, reduce CO2, and attract investment to the West Midlands and East of England

A feasibility study conducted by two of Britain’s leading gas networks has shown that a hydrogen economy in the West Midlands and East of England could:

Safeguard and create 34,000 jobs in the region, creating real, tangible benefits to constituents of the Hydrogen Valley region.

Reduce CO2 emissions by 12.9 million tonnes.

Attract up to £28 billion in private capital investment in hydrogen production by developing a green economy in the Hydrogen Valley region.

Boost energy resilience and protect consumers from volatile prices through locally produced and consumed hydrogen.

The Hydrogen Valley project is delivered by Cadent and National Gas Transmission and is supported by more than 30 regional stakeholders, including PEPSICO, CEMEX, British Sugar, RWE, West Midlands Combined Authority, and others from hydrogen production to demand and including the public sector.

The Hydrogen Valley is an East-West corridor that encompasses Norfolk in the east to Shropshire in the West, comprised of the administrative counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Peterborough, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, and the West Midlands.

The vision for the Hydrogen Valley is being set out at a House of Commons launch event, hosted by MP Bim Afolami this afternoon (29/03/2023). The event will bring together more than a hundred representatives from politics, industry, academia and business. Together they will outline their commitment to accelerate decarbonisation and to bring the benefits of a hydrogen economy to the West Midlands and East of England.

Initial research identified that the Hydrogen Valley is home to major operations in power generation, automotive, manufacturing, metal processing, and building materials, employing tens of thousands of people collectively.

“With the launch of the Hydrogen Valley study, we are nearer to understanding the role that hydrogen could play in delivering a net zero energy system while boosting local economies, communities and creating a resilient system that enhances the UK’s energy security.“

— Helen Boyle

Head of Regional Development at Cadent

“We are looking forward to sharing the results of the feasibility study, which has enabled us to explore how we can maximise the value of existing UK infrastructure and give consumers fair access to cost effective low carbon Hydrogen.“

— Danielle Stewart

Hydrogen Project Director at
National Gas Transmission