Hydrogen Sussex, born out of the Greater Brighton Energy Plan, is the body supporting and facilitating the hydrogen economy across Sussex.
A UK Hydrogen Strategy was published in October 2021, together with notice of a Net Zero Hydrogen Fund for 2022, as part of a raft of decarbonisation strategies culminating in the government’s Net Zero Strategy in November 2021. Hydrogen will have a critical role in the UK’s net zero energy future.
Moving quickly to develop a strong UK hydrogen economy by 2030 presents opportunities for investment in projects and associated infrastructure and supply chain companies. With such a critical role to play in enabling the UK hydrogen economy, it is important that a joined up and strategic approach is taken to hydrogen Research and Innovation investment.
With Hydrogen Sussex, the Greater Brighton Region is very much on the front-foot. Hydrogen Sussex has already built a significant network of key stakeholders across local and central government and the private sector, and has been engaging other stakeholders including regional MPs to enhance support and understanding of the region’s hydrogen ambitions.
This all puts the region very much at the forefront of a hydrogen fuel revolution. To ensure the potential of this opportunity is maximised an investment proposition and strategy for the City Region is currently under development. The aim of the investment proposition would be to give a clear focus and direction, establish a place-based perspective, and ensure that research and innovation is embedded in all hydrogen projects. The investment proposition is complementary to and gives a supporting framework for individual projects to proceed, mapping to a variety of funding sources and focusing on research excellence and delivery at commercial pace.