Hydrogen Gateway – a national conference to power the UK’s path to a Hydrogen economy
South Wales and Western England are leading a new national conference to speed the UK’s transition to using Hydrogen to help reach Net Zero.
Hydrogen Gateway is being held at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport on 9th June 2023 and aims to bring together industry, businesses, Governments and the public sector from across the UK to understand how they can work together to overcome current barriers.
Hydrogen has many potential uses as a low carbon energy source which could power heavy goods vehicles, aeroplanes, large shipping containers and decarbonise heavy industry.
South Wales and Western England is home to a range of businesses, academics and local authorities who are pioneering the use of Hydrogen as a way of decarbonising parts of the economy which currently rely heavily on fossil fuels. With the largest aerospace cluster and one of the most polluted counties, the area stands well placed to lead the development of Net Zero technology.
Hydrogen Gateway is being led by the Western Gateway Partnership in partnership with the industry alliances of Hydrogen South West and the South Wales Industrial Cluster and the academic partnership, the GW4 Alliance.
It promises to be a key event in the UK’s Net Zero calendar with an aim to showcase Hydrogen development on a national stage. The conference will include:
- a programme of high-profile speakers
- exhibitions demonstrating technological breakthroughs
- workshops to improve understanding of hydrogen as an energy source
- discussions between businesses and the public sector to understand opportunities for development and how to overcome current barriers
Last year, the UK Government confirmed that electrolytic 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.
This conference aims to be the next step – driving forward collaboration and providing a platform for success to speed up transition to this clean fuel.
The Western Gateway is the Pan-Regional Partnership for South Wales and Western England which reaches from Swansea to Swindon. Bringing together business, research and local leaders to work together to add an extra £34bn to the economy by 2030 and reach Net Zero.
Katherine Bennett CBE, Chair of the Western Gateway Partnership, said: “In the Western Gateway, we are leading the development of Hydrogen across many of its potential uses through our cross-border Hydrogen Ecosystem. This conference will put Hydrogen in the national spotlight, bringing together decision makers from across the UK with those working on the frontline to bring us closer to reaching our collective Net Zero targets.
“We’re bringing together business, research and local leaders to add £34bn to the economy by 2030 and reach Net Zero. I look forward to welcoming experts from around the union to our area to unlock this potential game-changing low carbon fuel for the UK and the world.”
Simon Earles, Chair of Hydrogen South West, said : “It is great to have an opportunity to come together with our colleagues in Wales to deliver an event of this scale. We have so much potential across our area to deliver the change the UK needs to reach its goals around reaching net zero.
“In South West England, we are home to the UK’s largest aerospace cluster and the largest energy development in Europe with Hinkley Point C. We have expertise that will be critical to bringing Hydrogen into use and look forward to sharing solutions with colleagues from around the UK”
Dr Chris Williams, Head of Industrial Decarbonisation for the South Wales Industrial Cluster, said: “This is a great opportunity to come together to develop partnerships with cross-border connections in the South West of England. As the South Wales Industrial Cluster we intend to accelerate our plans to achieve net zero.
“SWIC is recognized as the second largest industrial cluster in the UK and Hydrogen will play a key role in our journey. Strengthening relationships and collaboration with the South West of England, through the Western Gateway, will play an important role in developing the vital hydrogen infrastructure the wider region will need to achieve net zero.”
Dr Joanna Jenkinson MBE, GW4 Alliance Director, said: “GW4 brings together four of the most research-intensive universities in the UK: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Our academics are at the forefront of new and innovative research exploring whole system approaches to accelerate the transition to sustainable Net Zero.
“The GW4 Alliance has the ability to deliver research capabilities to support a Hydrogen Ecosystem including multi-million-pound investments in green hydrogen capacity and academic expertise spanning the whole systems approach from hydrogen production, storage and distribution to energy system integration, policy and economics, public behaviour and acceptance.
“This event is a great opportunity to showcase the best of what our partnerships can achieve.”
Tickets can be booked online. A programme of speakers, exhibitors and workshops will be announced in the next couple of months.