Hydrogen energy took centre stage as Humber Freeport joined a powerful regional delegation at the UK’s largest net zero conference.
A collaboration spanning the private and public sectors came together to share the Humber’s unique economic proposition on an international stage at Innovation Zero.
With more than 10,000 delegates expected to attend during the two-day event, Innovation Zero offered the Humber delegation a platform to present its ambitious vision for a sustainable future to government representatives, investors and industry pioneers.
Humber Freeport hosted a breakout session on day one of the conference which focused on hydrogen as a viable and prosperous energy source of the future.
The session explored how hydrogen can help decarbonise industry as a renewable source of energy and the commitment needed from Government to accelerate its adoption.
In the Humber 2030 Vision, published by the Humber Energy Board, hydrogen is described as being “at the heart of the UK’s pathway to net zero, offering a viable solution for the decarbonisation of industry across the Humber cluster”.
Its significance is also profiled in the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan, which highlighted that switching to hydrogen fuel could reduce the region’s carbon emissions by up to 21 per cent by 2040.
Humber Freeport CEO Simon Green was joined by Frédéric Séné, Commercial Director of Air Products, Dan Sadler, Director – Low Carbon Solutions UK (Hydrogen) at Equinor, and Chris Smith, Founder and CEO of Meld Energy, for the hydrogen showcase.
Mr Green said: “The Humber, with its unique geographical and industrial assets, is poised to play a critical role in the energy transition. It is clear there is no single silver bullet, and hydrogen must be a key part of the blend of renewable technologies required to decarbonise industry.
“The Humber’s powerful presence at Innovation Zero is a real statement of intent – that the UK’s Energy Estuary is a prime location for investment, innovation and collaboration to reach net zero.
“Alongside our partners, Humber Freeport is an important catalyst for the investments which will unlock growth and support the future prosperity of UK Plc.”
The Humber Pavilion had a commanding and prominent exhibition space at Innovation Zero, held at London’s Olympia, bringing together leading stakeholders from across the UK’s busiest trading estuary.
The Humber delegation was brought together by Future Humber, the region’s place marketing organisation, with Humber Freeport among more than a dozen partners pitching the Humber’s distinct proposition as a world-leading centre for innovation and leadership in decarbonisation and net zero solutions.
Built around the Humber’s recognised place brand and four core values – to be revolutionary, resourceful, real and remarkable – the Humber Pavilion championed one voice for the region, as a catalyst for clean growth and driving investment in UK Plc.
Driven by investment from partners including Equinor, Air Products, SEE, Meld Energy and Uniper, planned hydrogen production in the Humber is due to total more than 5GW by 2030.
With storage capacity in the region to power two million homes for an entire year, hydrogen is poised to play a vital part in the clean energy transition.
Equinor’s Dan Sadler said: “The Humber has a unique opportunity. When you assess the best place to deploy large-scale hydrogen technology, we have the assets and the companies to drive the energy transition.
“We have investors looking at the Humber as a place to do business, and to do some really exciting and innovative things. Our ask of Government is to provide the foundations which give those companies the confidence to invest in the Humber and unlock the region’s enormous potential.”
Humber Freeport is playing an important strategic role as a launchpad for investment in the region, providing economic incentives to unlock key development sites and drive growth.
At Innovation Zero, Humber Freeport came together with 14 other organisations – Air Products, Arup, Drax, Equinor, Future Humber, Humber Energy Board, Meld Energy, Nexos, Phillips 66, px Group, RWE, SSE Thermal, Uniper and VPI – presenting a powerful coalition of industry leaders all committed to decarbonisation and clean growth.
This year, “Team Humber” was bigger and bolder than ever before; redefining what it means to be an industrial powerhouse and proving why the region is vital to the UK’s net zero transition.
Diana Taylor, Managing Director of Future Humber, said: “Humber is more than just a place of industry; it’s a visionary region driving real change.
“Our presence at Innovation Zero is a statement of intent. We are a proactive and capable collective, leading the charge in sustainability and clean growth.”