BP is developing plans for the UK’s largest blue hydrogen production facility, targeting 1GW of hydrogen production by 2030. The project could help the UK government’s ambitious target for the country to be the world’s first major economy to be net zero by 2050. Blue hydrogen is produced by converting natural gas into hydrogen and CO₂, which is then captured and permanently stored. The project would capture and send for storage up to two million tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to capturing the emissions from the heating of one million UK households, based on data from the UK’s Climate Change Committee. Driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen is a key part of the UK Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and the government’s Energy White Paper and can play an important part in helping the UK end its contribution to climate change by 2050.
H2Teesside, would be a significant step in developing BP’s hydrogen business and make a major contribution to the UK Government’s target of developing 5GW of hydrogen production by 2030, BP said, noting that with close proximity to North Sea storage sites, pipe corridors and existing operational hydrogen storage and distribution capabilities, the area is uniquely placed for H2Teesside to help lead a low carbon transformation, supporting jobs, regeneration and the revitalization of the surrounding area. Industries in Teesside account for over 5% of the UK’s industrial emissions and the region is home to five of the country’s top 25 emitters. With large-scale, low-cost production of clean hydrogen, H2Teesside could support the conversion of surrounding industries to use hydrogen in place of natural gas, playing an important role in decarbonizing a cluster of industries in Teesside. The project’s hydrogen output could provide clean energy to industry and residential homes, be used as a fuel for heavy transport and support the creation of sustainable fuels, including bio and e-fuels. BP has also signed an MoU with Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to explore the potential for green hydrogen in the region, including the development of Teesside as the UK’s first hydrogen transport hub.