Hydrogen Gateway accelerates UK’s transition to a greener future.
Over six hundred people descended on the ICC Wales on Friday for the Hydrogen Gateway national conference.
As a key partner in delivering the event, Hydrogen South West worked closely with organisers Western Gateway and fellow partners South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC),GW4 Alliance (which brings together the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter) and EY, bringing together organisations across the south west and Wales to discuss the role of hydrogen sin kickstarting the UK’s net zero transition.
Attendees ranging from industry leaders, businesses, public sector organisations and government ministers all united in their commitment to driving the nation’s transition to a more sustainable a future, and to capitalise on The economic opportunities this transition provides for the region.
During the event, participants actively engaged in exploring strategies, initiatives, and collaborative opportunities across a series of Q&A sessions and workshops on the different aspects of the burgeoning hydrogen economy. The sessions also helped to improve understanding about new hydrogen technology available and in development to help businesses transition away from fossil fuels.
The conference also included talks by the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP, chair of the UK Net Zero Review, Welsh Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, and UK Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, Lord Callanan. There were also talks from representatives of RWE,EDF Hynamics, Western Gateway, SWIC, Hydrogen South West, Gw4, Airbus, Wales and West Utilities, Innovate UK, UK Infrastructure Bank and British Business Bank.
In his speech, the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP, said: “Last year the UK Government confirmed that Hydrogen is a key part of its plans to reach Net Zero, with aims to increase production to 10GW by 2030 and the announcement of a new national Hydrogen Champion. The Western Gateway has nationally significant strengths in hydrogen, from the South Wales Industrial Cluster to the hydrogen hub in Swindon, and I am delighted to support their work to power the UK’s Net Zero economy.”
Simon Earles, Chair of Hydrogen South West, was also involved in a panel session, centred around the strengths of the Western Gateway area and why it is positioned to become a green energy powerhouse for the UK. In his speech Simon recognised that we cannot underestimate the importance of collaboration across industrial sectors to accelerate the change.
David Eccles, Director of Hydrogen South West reflected on the success of the event and said: "The day was such a great opportunity for our members to take part in panel sessions with industry leaders, hear insights from ministers from the UK and Welsh governments, and network with other organisations committed to taking hydrogen energy forward. This collaboration will be crucial to the technological and logistical breakthroughs that will make a fully-fledged hydrogen economy a realty in our region."