Next steps for hydrogen in the UK - policy, regulation, markets, and delivery

The agenda examines the role of hydrogen in the low-carbon energy mix and the UK’s net zero pathway, including its application in hard-to-electrify sectors. Delegates will look at potential implications of the strategy and Hydrogen Allocation Rounds for investor confidence and delivery timelines, as well as wider potential impacts on project pipeline progression and final investment decisions.

Questions around cost, efficiency, value for money, and sustainability will be explored, looking at where hydrogen can deliver the most value in comparison to other decarbonisation pathways - such as electrification and carbon removals. Delegates will consider what is needed to support deployment and confidence in the sector, including priorities for funding and cross-government co-ordination.

Investment, business models & delivery

The conference will examine approaches to business models and market frameworks that can support investor confidence and help projects progress from planning into delivery. Attendees will consider priorities for improving project viability, unlocking investment, and supporting deployment across the hydrogen value chain.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• business models: investment frameworks for production, transport and storage - balancing risk between government and industry - supporting progression to delivery
• production costs: addressing cost pressures in electrolytic and low-carbon hydrogen - options for reducing input costs - implications for project economics
• policy support: Climate Change Levy reform for electrolysis - wider measures to improve competitiveness - impact on investor confidence
• infrastructure finance: Regulated Asset Base and cap-and-floor approaches - managing risk - enabling transport and storage networks at scale
• HAR delivery: lessons from previous allocation rounds - implications of HAR2 delays - maintaining confidence in project pipelines
• future rounds: priorities for HAR3 design - eligibility criteria and contracting timelines - improving certainty for developers and investors
• demonstration projects: lessons from pilots and early schemes - informing deployment assumptions - understanding delivery and cost risks

Regulation, standards & certification

Delegates will discuss regulation of the sector, including sustainability requirements, carbon accounting, and frameworks for hydrogen consumption. Sessions will consider regulatory arrangements and how they can best support deployment while maintaining confidence in emissions reporting and compliance processes.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• production standards: the role of the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard - sustainability requirements - implications for project development
• compliance costs: verification processes and administrative burdens - proportional regulation - supporting timely deployment
• carbon accounting: robust emissions measurement and reporting - supply chain traceability - confidence in emissions claims
• end-use markets: regulatory frameworks for hydrogen use in power, transport and heating - implications for uptake and investment
• international alignment: UK standards and certification schemes - alignment with international frameworks - implications for market access
• competitiveness: subsidy regimes, carbon pricing and trade arrangements - cross-border investment considerations - positioning the UK market
• imported hydrogen: approaches to verification and emissions reporting - tracking through supply chains - consistency of standards

Infrastructure, planning & supply chain capacity

Sessions will assess priorities for delivery and co-ordination of hydrogen infrastructure across production, transport, and storage. Attendees will consider what is required to support timely deployment while strengthening workforce and supply chain capacity.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• infrastructure planning: co-ordination of production, transport and storage assets - network planning priorities - integration with existing systems
• network access: future approaches to hydrogen blending - implications for infrastructure use - access to networks
• consenting processes: planning approvals and environmental consents - project timelines - delivery implications
• grid connections: connection delays and capacity constraints - impacts on deployment schedules - options for improvement
• delivery co-ordination: collaboration between developers and network operators - sequencing infrastructure investment - improving efficiency
• workforce capacity: addressing skills shortages - training and recruitment priorities - supporting sector growth
• industrial clusters: role in deployment and regional development - attracting investment - strengthening local supply chains
• manufacturing capability: domestic production capacity - reducing reliance on imported technologies - supply chain resilience

Environmental impact, sustainability & public confidence

The conference will discuss approaches to addressing environmental and public concerns associated with hydrogen deployment, alongside mitigating potential impacts and supporting confidence in the sector. We expect discussion on public engagement on the environmental case for hydrogen and areas where concerns continue to be raised.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• lifecycle emissions: emissions performance of different production routes - methane leakage considerations - carbon accounting requirements
• resource impacts: water demand and land use associated with large-scale electrolysis - environmental management considerations
• blue hydrogen: concerns regarding continued fossil fuel reliance - emissions performance - role within decarbonisation pathways
• regulatory safeguards: Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard requirements - lifecycle emissions assessment - supporting confidence in outcomes
• public confidence: transparency and communication of emissions reductions - evidence and verification - trust in the sector
• community engagement: local authority involvement in planning and consenting - management of local impacts - stakeholder participation
• consumer issues: safety perceptions and potential effects on energy bills - implications for public acceptance
• domestic heating: the role of hydrogen relative to electrification - infrastructure requirements - implications for consumers and communities