Wessex Water chooses hydrogen to further growth ambitions
John Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Wessex Water explains why being at the forefront of the hydrogen industry as it develops is important for the company and how he is shaping his team to adapt and think differently. Wessex Water is a Board member of Hydrogen South West.
Preparing the business for a hydrogen transformation
When John Thompson took on the role as Chief Operating Officer in 2022, one of his key priorities was to identify how his 2500-strong Sustainable Operations and Engineering team could proactively adapt to support the company’s commitment of achieving net zero operational carbon emissions by 2030, and full decarbonisation by 2040.
This decarbonisation commitment, combined with the Wessex Water footprint, which serves its 2.8 million customers and ranges from densely populated cities to the most isolated and rural areas, makes it well positioned to support development of the hydrogen economy and supply chain in the in the South West region
John is focused on understanding the different elements that need to come together to move the hydrogen economy forwards and how businesses will need to adapt to take advantage of the benefits hydrogen offers.
Where to start from a company perspective
From John’s experience, focusing as early as possible on the “people” element will be the key to its success and critical to development of the hydrogen industry in the region.
Since joining Hydrogen South West as a Board member in October 2022, John’s team have found the conversations with the HSW skills group invaluable to start considering future skills that will be needed and how they can most effectively be delivered. Successful and early adoption of hydrogen will be more likely where engagement and buy-in has been developed across the organisation and where new skills and competencies have been carefully considered.
The importance of hydrogen awareness and skills across the organisation
The topic of skills requirements comes at a time where resource shortages are high on the list of many companies across the water sector. With significant construction programmes planned in the coming years, it will be crucial to identify the new skills required and to find different pathways to ensure sufficient resources are available as early as possible.
It is not only the skills of those at the front line that will need to be developed, but also requirements throughout the organisation. To ensure a skilled, safe and sustainable front-line operational workforce is developed and supported effectively, managers, health and safety, reporting and analytics teams will also need to develop their hydrogen knowledge and skills.
Taking this into account, John has already enrolled individuals from different teams across the company in a ten week hydrogen bootcamp co-ordinated and facilitated by Weston College. Each attendee will provide feedback to both the course designers and to Wessex Water. This feedback will support further discussion around a hydrogen awareness and skillset within the company as momentum for hydrogen across the water sector builds.
It is no coincidence that the Wessex Water representative in the hydrogen skills group is Early Careers Manager Becca Thurston. An ageing workforce is one of top issues facing the water sector and, to meet the complex challenges and hydrogen transformation ahead, there is a need to attract and retain new people into the industry. With Becca involved early on we will be able to deliver a pipeline of individuals with the necessary hydrogen skills and mindset.
Early supply chain engagement focused on innovation and growth
Early engagement and support are also important across the supply chain. With established supplier partnerships across the South West region and a collaborative approach to supporting local companies, Wessex Water are well placed to support wider hydrogen engagement. Discussion and knowledge-sharing sessions have begun with local supply chain partners focusing on ideas and innovative thinking. Working together, consideration is being given to how hydrogen could become an enabler for significant business growth across the region.
The level of change anticipated is considerable and being part of Hydrogen South West is powerful. Focusing on success for the South West region as a whole and with the ability to learn and share experiences as part of the cross-sector group will no doubt be a formula for success.