Rob.Dale@beyond2050.co.uk posted the statements below.
Last week, the Labour Party hosted their first party conference in power since 2009. Here are the top five takeaways for the UK’s hydrogen industry. 1. PM, Chancellor and Energy Secretary all discuss hydrogen
The clean energy superpower mission was high on the conference agenda and it was a consistent theme in speeches delivered by cabinet ministers. Specifically on hydrogen, the Prime Minister and Chancellor both referenced the industry in their unscripted talks at Business Day on Monday. Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, mentioned hydrogen twice in his speech, once when discussing building out UK supply chains including “jobs manufacturing electrolysers for hydrogen” and again to reference its importance to delivering clean power by 2030. He said:
“The British people know our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower is the way to put energy policy back in the service of working people; social justice, economic justice, climate justice. That's the mission of this Labour government… Our mission for clean power by 2030: onshore wind, solar power, offshore wind, nuclear, tidal, hydrogen, carbon capture - an armoury of clean power."
Speaking at the joint energy trade association reception on Tuesday evening, Sarah Jones, Minister for Industry, stated her awareness that businesses in the hydrogen and CCS sectors were eagerly awaiting decisions from Government. 2. Aberdeen confirmed as location for GB Energy HQDuring his Leader’s Speech, the PM confirmed that GB Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen – as had been widely expected. Sir Keir Starmer said: “So today I can confirm that the future of British energy will be powered, as it has been for decades by the talent and skills of the working people in the Granite City with GB Energy based in Aberdeen.” The DESNZ press release accompanying the announcement confirmed that there will be two additional offices, in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It also states that a new interim chief executive will be appointed “soon” to work alongside Chair Juergen Maier. 3. Industrial Strategy publication confirmed for next monthWith the Budget coming in a months’ time, Rachel Reeves’ Conference speech was naturally light on new policy. However, she was able to set out her ambition and timings for the government’s promised industrial strategy, saying: “Next month, alongside the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, we will publish our plans for a new industrial strategy for Britain. A strategy for driving and shaping long-term growth in our manufacturing and service sectors. A strategy to unlock investment, create jobs and deliver prosperity. A strategy to help break down barriers to regional growth, speed ahead to net zero and clean power by 2030, and build prosperity on strong and secure foundations.” Jonathan Reynolds, Business and Trade Secretary, also confirmed that the strategy will be published next month. 4. Miliband talks up supply chainsEd Miliband’s contributions to conference were notable for his increasing focus on growing domestic supply chains. Labour have long leaned into the rhetoric of creating ‘good jobs’ as part of the energy transition, but Miliband’s comments at conference were the most explicit he has been about his focus on supply chains. In his keynote speech, he said: “We care about what we make, where things are made, and who makes them. And I promise you this: I will use every lever we have to win jobs and build new industries for Britain—Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund, the British Jobs Bonus. And let's spell out what this future means: jobs building carbon capture and storage, jobs manufacturing electrolysers for hydrogen…” He reiterated this on his address to a drinks reception hosted by Renewable UK on Tuesday, where he said that one of his key priorities is “growing the supply chain for UK jobs and growth”, adding that he wants his department to “move fast and build things.” 5. Hydrogen Zone attracts record attendance, and another awardWe are delighted to be able to take Hydrogen Zone to Labour and Conservative Party Conferences for the third year running. At Labour Conference, this year’s Zone was visited by over 60 MPs, including the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, ESNZ Committee Chair Bill Esterson and Hydrogen APPG Chair Dr Jeevun Sandher. A selection of some of the best photos are on the Beyond2050 LinkedIn page here.