Council sets out five point test at Hydrogen Village engagement session

Hundreds of residents turned out on Tuesday night (28 February) for a public engagement session about the Whitby Hydrogen Village Proposal at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall.

Whitby in Ellesmere Port is being considered as the UK's first hydrogen village, under proposals put forward to Government by gas distribution network Cadent.  The area has been confirmed in a shortlist of two locations across the country being considered to be the first to use low carbon hydrogen on this scale.

The engagement session provided an opportunity for the Council’s Climate Emergency Taskforce to hear residents’ views and questions about the Hydrogen Village proposal.

A panel of experts helped to answer questions asked by residents on the evening and provided  a range of viewpoints about the proposed pilot.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, chaired the meeting and took the opportunity to set out clearly the five tests that the Council is asking Cadent and the Government to meet to ensure the Council’s continued support for this programme.

Cllr Gittins said:

“We know that we need to take action to address the Climate Emergency and home heating will play a big part in this.  The engagement session yesterday, highlighted how passionate people feel about this topic and it was a constructive event, helping us to understand the views of Whitby residents.

“At the session I set out five tests that I’m asking Cadent and the Government to meet.

“The first test is public support, with a vote that we intend to hold in late summer, following the local elections.  We will engage with stakeholders and residents about what form this will take, and the outcome will be fed back to Government to influence their decision in relation to the Hydrogen Village proposal.

“The second is price guarantee – we need confirmation that the unit costs of energy from hydrogen will be matched to natural gas (or less) for the duration of the trial, and beyond the trial if it is a success. And residents who take the electric only option must not end up with higher energy costs.

“Third is a safety framework. We want a new regulatory framework from the Health and Safety Executive for the use of hydrogen in homes and businesses, and this must mirror the existing safety framework for natural gas. A low carbon electrical heating alternative must be made available for those who want it.

“The fourth test is a green hydrogen commitment. We want a commitment from Cadent that only hydrogen made from renewable energy will be supplied to properties in the hydrogen village.  And finally, the fifth test is local jobs for local people.  We want a commitment from Cadent that local businesses will be part of an installation programme, and that any skilled jobs will be recruited from the local area, wherever possible, to grow our local economy.”

The Council will write to government, independently, summarising the views and questions that residents raised at the event.

The public engagement session was webcast on the evening and can be viewed online.