South West England & South Wales selected to become first Hydrogen Ecosystem in UK

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and harnessing its power as a potential low-carbon energy solution is key to the UK Government’s plans to reach Net Zero. 

The Western Gateway Partnership represents the economic powerhouse of South Wales and Western England whilst the GW4 Alliance brings together the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter.

Their vision in establishing South West England and South Wales as a Hydrogen Ecosystem is to drive further collaboration, share solutions and expertise, and attract global investment. 

An interactive online map highlights the numerous industries, universities, research organisations and local authorities already leading the way toward realising hydrogen’s potential as a low-carbon energy source to power transport, heat our homes and decarbonise industry. 

Katherine Bennett CBE, Chair of the Western Gateway Partnership, said: “From Swansea to Swindon, the Western Gateway has been leading the way in developing hydrogen as a clean energy source to power our future economy. Hydrogen could provide a solution for many of the persistent challenges we face in trying to decarbonise our global energy system.

“By launching this new Hydrogen Ecosystem, our partnership is creating a mechanism to encourage collaboration across industry to ensure we are turbocharging the development of this clean energy to bring it to the market. 

“We want to send the message that investing in the Western Gateway area gives you access to the wide range of industries and avenues to international trade needed to bring hydrogen use into the mainstream.”

Professor Phil Taylor, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Enterprise at the University of Bristol, said: “As a member of the GW4 Alliance our focus is on driving collaborative research that addresses global challenges. 

Today, climate change, together with the urgent need to decarbonise the world’s economy, is arguably the greatest challenge we face. 

“Making our region the UK’s first hydrogen ecosystem acknowledges our capacity to pioneer research that has the potential to change the future of how we power transport, heat our homes and decarbonise industry.”