Hello Hydrogen campaign launched by energy sector to tackle lack of choice for future home heating

future of energy

The biggest names in the UK energy industry have joined forces to launch a campaign to raise awareness of hydrogen gas for heating our homes and calling on the Government to commit to a hydrogen future.

The ‘Hello Hydrogen’ Campaign (www.hellohydrogen.com) sees gas distribution networks, boiler manufacturers and energy suppliers come together to raise households’ awareness on the low-carbon gas’s role in reducing CO2 emissions.

Members of the group hope the information hub will teach people about new hydrogen-ready boilers and cookers ahead of Government plans to begin roll out of hydrogen to homes, starting this decade.

The switch from natural gas to hydrogen for home heating could cut CO2 emissions by 20 million tonnes a year – equivalent to 12 million cars - but the industry want clear guidance from the Government that it remains committed to hydrogen as it steps up efforts to develop the necessary technology.

Producing hydrogen for homes in the UK could also create tens of thousands of jobs and help the country avoid future cost of living crises by ending its reliance on natural gas from overseas, the campaign says.

Hello Hydrogen also want to highlight the ease in which homes will be able to install the new hydrogen-ready boilers like-for-like with old ones at the end of their life in a cost-efficient way – especially in households where they might not have space for alternative future heating options like heat pumps.

Commenting on the launch of the Hello Hydrogen Campaign, Campaign Director, Angela Needle said:
“As people start to turn on their heating again, we think now is the perfect time to begin the conversation about how we will all heat our homes in the future.

“We want households to know that there will be numerous ways to wake up their radiators or cook their dinner and hydrogen could be the right choice for them.

“For too long, consumers have only heard about expensive options that take up lots of space, to make their homes greener. We want them to know other, more affordable, choices will be available.

“We now need the Government to get behind our campaign and show real commitment to a hydrogen future so the energy sector can start the huge investment needed to make it a reality.

“This will boost the economy, create jobs in the UK, allow us to have control over our energy again and reduce carbon emissions.”

Campaign Chair, Victoria Billings of Worcester Bosch UK said:
"The industry is coming together to build a hydrogen future that means household bills are no longer linked to global events.

"That's why we've launched the Hello Hydrogen campaign to make sure consumers are kept fully informed of the choices they have and can know their bills will avoid the wild fluctuations we've seen recently.

“We want to start offering hydrogen-ready boilers to homes across the country, knowing they will fit in the same place as traditional boilers and will cost the same price, but we need to know the Government are fully behind hydrogen as a choice for millions of households."

ENDS
 
The Hello Hydrogen campaign is fully funded by the Gas Industry.

Funders include: Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, Wales and West Utilities and SGN; boiler manufacturers: Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Valliant and Ideal; British Gas and Ryze Hydrogen. Supporters of the Hello Hydrogen campaign include the GMB, industry bodies: Hydrogen UK, Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC), Energy Utilities Alliance, (EUA) and the Food Service Equipment Association. The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers. (IGEM).

Boiler manufacturers have committed to hydrogen boilers being no more expensive than current natural gas ones.

The Government is due to decide in 2026 whether to allow for hydrogen in the current gas network.

20 million tonnes of CO2 removed by switching to hydrogen is calculated on the basis of 50% of homes converted, receiving a mix of 50% hydrogen produced using renewable energy and 50% using natural gas with carbon capture and storage.

For media enquires please contact Simon Neville at SEC Newgate on 020 7653 9859
 

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy.  We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change.  Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency.   Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing. 

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

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Media contacts

Stephanie van Rosse

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07767 337343