The UK can use its growing hydrogen industry to deliver regional growth, industrial renewal and energy security, but must do it now, according to the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA).
Making the call on World Hydrogen Day, the HEA said continued action will provide businesses and investors the certainty needed to scale up projects, manufacturing and supply chains across the country.
The Association, which represents close to 100 organisations across the full hydrogen value chain, added Britain already has many of the ingredients needed to build a successful hydrogen economy, but it said the next phase “must be about converting that potential into commercial deployment”.
The HEA is calling for clear and timely delivery of the policy framework for hydrogen, including progress through the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds, a clear long-term strategic direction for the sector and measures that maximise the value of public support by helping British supply chains grow alongside hydrogen deployment.
The scale of the opportunity was highlighted in the HEA’s 2026 State of the Hydrogen Nation report, with businesses surveyed for the report indicating the sector could support around 4,000 direct jobs by 2030 under the current trajectory, compared with around 17,000 under an improved policy landscape – more than four times as many.
Analysis highlighted by the HEA from the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative also suggests that securing a 10% share of the global hydrogen technology market could contribute £46 billion a year to the UK economy by 2050 and support 410,000 jobs.
The HEA argues that the economic case should not be considered solely through the cost of individual hydrogen projects. Its members are also demonstrating the breadth of the emerging market, from hydrogen production and storage to transport, industrial applications, infrastructure and new production pathways.
The HEA has been working with parliamentarians and Government to build understanding of the sector and the policy conditions needed for it to grow.
The Association will continue engaging with ministers, parliamentarians and industry to support the development of a competitive UK hydrogen economy, it said.
Dr Emma Guthrie, Chief Executive of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said:
“World Hydrogen Day should be about more than celebrating the potential of hydrogen. It should be about asking what we need to do now to turn that potential into economic value for the UK.
“The opportunity is significant. Hydrogen can support skilled jobs in our industrial regions, strengthen UK supply chains, attract private investment, improve energy resilience and help businesses decarbonise.
“Those outcomes closely align with the country’s wider ambitions for economic growth, industrial renewal and energy security. The hydrogen sector is ready to play its part.
“But opportunity alone does not create investment. Businesses need confidence, and confidence comes from clarity, consistency and a clear long-term direction.
“Now is the moment to maximise hydrogen’s industrial and regional growth opportunity.”
“We are no longer talking about a hypothetical industry. Businesses are investing, projects are being developed and British companies are building expertise that can compete internationally.
“The question is how quickly and how successfully we turn that momentum into a scaled UK market.
“Public support should do more than enable individual projects. Used strategically, programmes such as the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds can help stimulate domestic manufacturing, strengthen supply chains and ensure that more of the economic and social value created by hydrogen stays here in Britain.
“That requires Government and industry to continue working closely together. We ultimately want the same things – economic growth, greater energy resilience, thriving industrial regions and a successful transition to a lower-carbon economy.
“On World Hydrogen Day, our message is simple: the opportunity is here. Now is the time to turn ambition into delivery.”
