Decision to drop ‘hydrogen village’ plans attacked by trade union
Trade union, GMB, has branded a decision by the Government to axe plans to convert Whitby, in Cheshire, into a ‘hydrogen village’ as “short sighted and ill informed”.
In May 2022, gas distribution network Cadent and British Gas, supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council, announced proposals for up to 2,000 properties in the Whitby area of Ellesmere Port to stop using natural gas for heating and cooking, and, instead, use hydrogen.
Alongside Redcar, in the North East, the scheme aimed to supply Whitby with hydrogen from 2025.
Marc Clarke, head of hydrogen consumer, Cadent, said at the time: “This is a really exciting project that puts Whitby in Ellesmere Port right at the heart of a lower carbon future for the country as a whole.”
However, the proposals have come under fire from some residents who are resistant to the scheme, which led to Cadent and British Gas offering affected householders an opt in/out choice, with Marc Clarke saying in March this year: “There has been a broad church of opinions that have come from right across the local community.
“This input is vitally important to how we shape our plans and submission, and we have always stated that we will only do what is right for the community.”
Now, Energy Minister, Lord Martin Callanan, has confirmed that Whitby will not be used as part of the trial. He said: “After listening to the views of residents it’s clear that there is no strong local support.
“Therefore, Whitby will no longer be considered as the location for the UK’s first hydrogen village trial.”
Labour MP for Ellesmere Port & Neston, Justin Madders, said the decision was inevitable, given the level of opposition.
A Cadent spokesperson said it would be “disappointing to the many residents who told us they wanted their community to play a pioneering role in decarbonising how we heat our homes in the UK”.
The GMB union has condemned the decision to drop Whitby from the programme, saying hydrogen is the best way to heat homes and hit net zero.
Andy Prendergast, GMB national secretary, said: “Axing the ongoing hydrogen trial is a short sighted, ill-informed move by this Government. It once again shows a complete lack of a coherent energy plan.
“Hydrogen is safe, green and the best way to heat homes while hitting net zero.”
He added: “Whitby could have been at the forefront of this technological revolution – supporting well paid unionised jobs and helping us to net zero – and instead it risks being a byword for this Government’s energy failure.”
