Debate contribution: Hydrogen Innovation Strategy

Debate contribution by Mr Jonathan Buckley on 25 March 2025.

MLA

Mr Jonathan Buckley

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

25 March 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Hydrogen Innovation Strategy

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4866386

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Today, I move a motion that, I trust, will set Northern Ireland on the path to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen technology, a path that harnesses the potential of hydrogen to transform our energy landscape and create high-quality, sustainable jobs in the industries of the future. Hydrogen has long been hailed as the key to decarbonising our transport sector and improving our energy security, yet, for us to realise that potential, we must take proactive steps to create the right conditions to foster innovation and growth in this critical sector. That is why the Democratic Unionist Party believes that it is essential that we adopt a dedicated hydrogen innovation strategy for Northern Ireland. That strategy must capitalise on our unique advantages and build on the expertise already present in our region. Northern Ireland is on the cusp of an energy revolution. Our geographical advantages, particularly our abundant renewable electricity from onshore wind, place us in a position to be a global leader in the production of green hydrogen. Onshore wind already provides more than 80% of our renewable energy capacity. However, we need to take the next steps to develop hydrogen production and storage facilities and distribution infrastructure to ensure that we are not left behind in the global race for green hydrogen. We must do so by working in collaboration with the private sector, academia and government locally and at UK level. Our strategy must consider several key pillars, and I am pleased to share those today. The first is the establishment of a hydrogen unit in the Department for the Economy. That would serve as the focal point for driving forward the hydrogen sector, working closely with industry leaders and academia to ensure that we provide and develop the right technology and infrastructure to support large-scale hydrogen production. Moreover, it would play an important role in monitoring progress and facilitating coordination across various sectors. Secondly, we must create clear targets in our Programme for Government (PFG) to integrate hydrogen into public-sector energy use. By setting targets to embed hydrogen into public-sector projects, we can provide the necessary momentum to stimulate demand and investment in that space. Thirdly, we must continue our discussions with the UK Government to access funding streams and incentives that would support innovation in our hydrogen sector, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ireland. The British Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII), as well as UK-wide schemes, such as the Clean Power 2030 action plan and Great British Energy, must include clear provisions to support local businesses in their bid to drive forward hydrogen technologies. Fourthly, we must assess the necessary gas infrastructure to support hydrogen blending, which is already happening in areas such as Dungannon. Injecting hydrogen into the existing gasworks would allow us to begin integrating hydrogen into our energy mix without the need for a complete overhaul of existing infrastructure.

I thank the Member for her intervention. She is absolutely right. I visited the site with her alongside other Members, and it was clear to see the enthusiasm for that revolutionary style of blending, which is happening on our doorstep at Granville. It is a first on the island and will ensure that we harness that potential. There is much more work to be done not only by the Department for the Economy but by the Department for Infrastructure to ensure that they realise and capitalise on the huge potential of hydrogen for consumers and businesses alike, but they face real challenges in accessing the planning structure in live time. We also have a point to celebrate in Northern Ireland because we have the unique advantage over our counterparts on these islands of having a young, modern gas infrastructure of which they should certainly be envious. Fifthly, we must make significant progress on developing large-scale hydrogen storage capacity to ensure that there is a consistent and reliable supply of hydrogen throughout the year. With hydrogen storage, we can address the intermittency of renewable energy generation — for example, wind energy — and ensure that we maximise the potential of and for our renewable energy assets. Sixthly, we must work to ensure that Northern Ireland's energy systems are hydrogen-ready. That involves ensuring that all new gas-fuelled appliances, including boilers and hybrid systems, are designed and installed with the capacity to use hydrogen as a fuel source. Of course, those pillars of the hydrogen innovation strategy are meaningful only if we have the appropriate partnerships and skilled workforce to support them. That has come up time and time again at the Committee, at which we focus on providing our young people with the appropriate skills for the careers of the future. Northern Ireland already has a vibrant skills base, and the demand for green energy jobs is growing rapidly. However, we need to ensure that our workforce is equipped with the right skills at the right time to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the hydrogen sector. That includes introducing hydrogen-specific apprenticeships and training programmes to allow young people to gain the skills required for high-quality jobs in the sector. As we move forward, we can take inspiration from the example set by local companies, such as Wrightbus in Ballymena. Last month, Wrightbus unveiled its upgraded hydrogen-powered second generation Streetdeck Hydroliner bus — that is quite a mouthful, but it is quite a feat of engineering — which represents a significant leap forward in green transport technology. The new model is more fuel-efficient, has a greater range and costs less than its predecessor, which was the world's first hydrogen double-decker bus. Wrightbus's innovative approach and commitment to zero-emission public transport vehicles demonstrates what is possible when we embrace new technologies and work collaboratively across sectors. The company is already the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe and expects to create up to 1,000 jobs in its supply chain as production increases. That success story is just one example of how the hydrogen economy can transform our local economy and create high-paying, high-quality jobs. While I believe in the immense potential of hydrogen, I am cautious about the broader promises of the net zero agenda, which can often overlook the complex challenges that we face and the costly bill that it can place on working-class communities. It is essential, therefore, that we proceed with caution and ensure that we have reliable, long-term alternatives to fossil fuels before we phase them out completely. We cannot afford to abandon fossil fuels prematurely; we do not yet have reliable, long-term and scalable alternatives in place. It is only when we have ensured the success of hydrogen and other clean energy technologies that we can begin to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in a sustainable and responsible manner. That is why we must continue to drive innovation, secure the right infrastructure and ensure that Northern Ireland has a seat at the table when funding options and policies are discussed at UK level. It is only through that concerted effort that we can secure a future in which Northern Ireland is recognised not only as a regional leader but as a global hub for green hydrogen technology. In conclusion, I encourage all Members to engage in the proactive discussion that the Northern Ireland economy is engaging in on green hydrogen. I hope that the Minister and her Department can get behind the initiative to ensure that we realise its true potential.

1,245 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:07 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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