TO BE PUBLISHED February 2026
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This conference will focus on hydrogen policy and market development in the UK. It will be an opportunity to discuss the Government’s forthcoming updated Hydrogen Strategy, expected to be published this autumn with aims of achieving 10GW low-carbon hydrogen capacity by 2030.
The discussion will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to examine progress and next steps in building demand for hydrogen, and fostering the financial viability of projects as the UK moves forward with the development of hydrogen infrastructure.
Areas for discussion include delivery across industrial clusters, hydrogen transport schemes and hydrogen-to-power projects, and scaling deployment while addressing challenges for maintaining investor confidence, environmental integrity and cost efficiency.
Further discussion will centre on practical delivery of 2026 milestones, including planning processes, achieving clear indications of future hydrogen demand, long-term contracts, and impacts on local and regional economies.
Policy & strategy
Delegates will assess priorities for policy and the sector following publication of the Government’s Industrial Strategy: Clean Energy Sector Plan, the Hydrogen Update to the Market, and associated consultations on hydrogen business models, transport, infrastructure, and the integration of hydrogen into existing gas networks.
The conference will also assess potential opportunities in the Government’s Infrastructure Strategy and the £500m commitment for hydrogen transport and storage networks.
Planning, funding & growth
Implementation strategy and funding arrangements will be considered, alongside what will be needed to support investor confidence and accelerate projects from planning into delivery. Areas for discussion include coordination on finance, responsibilities and schedules, as well as alignment of project plans with Hydrogen Allocation Round 2.
The agenda also looks at insights emerging from Hydrogen Allocation Round 1, the shortlist and due-diligence phase, alongside progress towards Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreements, including design and terms, strike price and delivery obligations.
Technology pathways will be assessed, particularly green and blue hydrogen options, and approaches to addressing concerns over costs, surrounding emissions, and reliance on renewables versus carbon capture - as well as greenwashing and carbon-accounting challenges.
We also expect discussion to reflect concerns around UK and overseas markets, considering how the UK can maintain global competitiveness in the industry and promote international trade.
Networks, regulation & market design
Attendees will consider proposals for a hydrogen economic regulatory framework, drawing on issues from DESNZ’s recent consultation. Business models such as a potential Regulated Asset Base will be discussed, alongside regulatory measures such as a network code, looking also at balancing responsibility allocation.
Sessions will address supply and demand challenges in early-stage market development, following multiple hydrogen projects being reduced in scope or cancelled due to insufficient customer bases.
The financial framework will be examined, alongside infrastructure issues such as storage capacity and the integration of hydrogen into power generation.
Practical applications, skills development
Further sessions examine implementation priorities across production, transport and end-use, as well as latest thinking on hydrogen’s role in home heating. Industrial decarbonisation priorities for sectors will be examined - including for steel, chemicals, glass and ceramics - alongside hydrogen’s role in heavy transport through the Zero Emission HGV programme.
Skills and supply-chain capacity for scaling hydrogen deployment will be assessed, following publication of DESNZ’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan, which set out £400k in funding for the development of a Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Skills Accelerator.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include official from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department for Business and Trade; Ministry of Defence; Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority; Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, ROI; and the Welsh Government.
