Member

As part of our transition to home-grown clean energy, we see hydrogen and CCUS as safeguarding our energy security, and we are focused on deploying CCUS technologies to ensure that CCUS-enabled blue hydrogen can serve as a critical enabler in the transition to a net-zero energy system. I say to the noble Lord, Lord Naseby, that the Climate Change Committee described CCUS as a necessity, not an option, for maintaining our climate commitments. His enthusiasm for hydrogen was very clear. I can confirm that we do not think his amendments are required, because we believe that CCUS and blue hydrogen are within the scope of the Bill. The Bill defines clean energy as energy produced from sources other than fossil fuels, as defined by the Climate Change Committee. The fact that blue hydrogen does not meet the definition does not at all prevent its production or use falling within Great British Energy’s other objectives in Clause 3. This clause allows GBE to facilitate, encourage or participate in projects, such as CCUS or CCUS-enabled hydrogen, that would contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases from energies produced from fossil fuels. I have made clear that the Government support both technologies. The Bill is drafted to reflect this, and it is further demonstrated—as the noble Earl, Lord Russell, remarked—by the recent announcement in relation to CCUS of £21.7 billion funding over the next 25 years.