In a recent development, four energy companies are working together in order to raise the bid for the government funding and develop the first UK regional hydrogen transport and storage network.
Notably, Centrica, Equinor, National Gas, and SSE Thermal look forward to securing around £500m of funds to go ahead and develop the Humber Hydrogen network, which is going to connect sites throughout the Humber region.
One of the spokespersons of all four companies said that this is indeed a competitive process that is going to ascertain where the first integrated hydrogen network in the UK gets built.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – DESNZ went on to remark that the hydrogen strategy of the government would indeed help drive clean energy investment and also create thousands of skilled jobs.
It is worth noting that the Humber Hydrogen network would go on to connect projects throughout the region with the likes of Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage, Keadby Next Generation Power Station, and H2H Saltend.
The chief commercial officer with National Gas, Ian Radley, said, “We believe the Humber is the obvious choice to be the home of Britain’s first hydrogen network. Nowhere else in Britain can match what it offers in industrial demand, infrastructure, supply chains, geological storage, and skilled people who can unlock Britain’s clean power potential.”
Interestingly, other senior personnel from SSE Thermal and Centrica, along with Equinor, went on to echo his sentiments.
Also, Richard Gwilliam, who is the chairman of the Humber Energy Board, went on to describe the bid as having the potential of being a game-changer for the region.
Get investment back
The bid has also got the much-required support from the local MPs too.
MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Melanie Onn, said that, “The Humber is the ideal place to locate the UK’s first hydrogen network, given its geology, geography, and the wide range of key industries on both banks of the Humber Estuary that can benefit from its use.”
MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, said, “If the country is to take advantage of key technologies, reduce emissions, create jobs, and cut bills, we need action.”
Stuart further added, “That’s why we need the government to support hydrogen infrastructure in our area and bring investment back to the Humber.”
It was in June 2025 that the government announced plans to go ahead and invest over £500m in hydrogen infrastructure across the industrial heartlands of Britain.
A DESNZ spokesperson went on to add that the hydrogen industry is going to be very crucial to their mission if they are hoping to become a superpower in clean energy.
The spokesperson further said that the ambitious hydrogen strategy that they have is indeed going to set out their vision and clear their intentions for the industry in the UK, including in the Humber, throttling clean energy investment and also unlocking numerous skilled jobs all throughout the country.