The UK government has decided to abandon its proposed “hydrogen village” scheme in Redcar, northeast England, following months of resistance from concerned residents. Initially anticipated to commence in 2025, the project aimed to test the use of hydrogen for heating homes. However, insufficient local hydrogen production capacity prompted the government to cancel the trial, marking the end of prolonged protests over fears of increased energy bills and safety concerns.
Similar opposition led to the cancellation of plans to pilot hydrogen in Whitby, Cheshire, in July. Some locals expressed concerns about becoming involuntary “lab rats” for a technology that might not gain traction in the UK. The government is set to decide on integrating hydrogen into its net-zero climate plans by 2026, assessing evidence from a pilot in Fife, Scotland, and comparable initiatives in Europe.
While proponents argue for hydrogen’s potential economic benefits, including job creation and up to £11 billion in investment by 2030, critics, including infrastructure experts, advocate for widespread adoption of electric heating options like heat pumps for households. On Wednesday, the UK government officially endorsed plans to prohibit gas and “hydrogen-ready” boilers in new-build homes in England from 2025.
Despite canceling the Redcar project, the government announced support for 11 new ventures focused on producing “green hydrogen” by splitting water molecules with renewable electricity. This includes projects at Sofidel, a paper manufacturer in south Wales, and the InchDairnie Distillery in Fife. The decision to scrap the Redcar trial is seen by some as indicative of a diminishing role for hydrogen in home heating, with the emphasis shifting toward cleaner, electric alternatives.
Northern Gas Networks, initially slated to lead the Redcar hydrogen initiative, expressed disappointment over the decision, citing the lack of local hydrogen production as the primary impediment. The company urged continued exploration of hydrogen’s potential through a separate project in Fife, Scotland.