UK green hydrogen market set to reach £30-£90bn by 2050

The UK’s green hydrogen market opportunity is set to reach £30-£90bn by 2050, according to the Great Western Supercluster of Hydrogen Impact for Future Technologies (GW-SHIFT) in its new Hydrogen Economy Report, nr evidence-based resource designed to help businesses, councils and investors across South Wales and South West England understand and act on the growing opportunities in green hydrogen.

The South West of England and South Wales are uniquely positioned to capitalise on the rapidly expanding hydrogen economy, says (GW-SHIFT). The regions’ strong industrial heritage, established marine and aerospace clusters, and abundant renewable energy resources place them at the forefront of green hydrogen production, deployment and innovation.

In addition, the regions’ long-standing engagement in heavy industry means that many of the core skills required across the green hydrogen supply chain are already in place, and low-carbon hydrogen is already being utilised, providing a strong foundation for growth, reskilling and job creation as the hydrogen economy scales.

The Great Western Supercluster of Hydrogen Impact for Future Technologies (GW-SHIFT) has today launched its new Hydrogen Economy Report, a major evidence-based resource designed to help businesses, councils and investors across South Wales and South West England understand and act on the growing opportunities in green hydrogen.

The report sets out how hydrogen can play a vital role in decarbonising industry, supporting workforce growth, strengthening regional supply chains and driving innovation, particularly in sectors that are harder to electrify. It provides practical guidance on funding opportunities, skills and training pathways, policy developments, and real-world regional projects already delivering impact.

Karen Brooks, Deputy Director of GW-SHIFT, said: “Hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy transition. As we seek to strengthen energy security, decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, and create high-quality employment, green hydrogen offers a powerful pathway to deliver economic growth alongside environmental responsibility and energy security. This report has been developed to support businesses, investors, advisors and policymakers by bringing together market intelligence, funding mechanisms, skills pathways and regional case studies, and by highlighting the practical opportunities, especially for SMEs, to engage with the hydrogen economy.”

The report highlights the importance of hydrogen not only for future energy systems, but for today’s industries and supply chains. Frazer Ely, Founder and CEO of Latent Drive Ltd, said: “As consumers, we are often unaware of how hydrogen is really used, but our industries and agriculture depend on it, particularly for fertiliser and ammonia production, which supports our food supplies. Our region is well placed to move hydrogen production from fossil fuels to renewables, which opens up new opportunities with new technologies and new jobs. We should embrace this.”

Anna Lewis, Decarbonisation Project Manager at Caerphilly County Borough Council, added: “The report clearly outlines the growing opportunities that hydrogen can bring to councils and businesses in South Wales, showing the benefits in particular to harder-to-electrify areas. It provides an evidence base for councils and businesses to consider hydrogen, not only through decarbonisation but also through the economic opportunities. It also shows how hydrogen links with wider green opportunities in manufacturing and engineering, and highlights funding and training routes that can help grow operations and reskill the existing workforce. Having this kind of practical, well-evidenced guidance in one place from a reputable source is incredibly valuable for building strong business cases.”

The report includes a clear, staged approach for organisations beginning their hydrogen journey, helping councils and businesses identify relevant sectors, collaboration opportunities, and routes to funding and support. It also underlines the potential for job creation by building on existing skills and supporting reskilling and upskilling.

To mark the publication, GW-SHIFT will host a live webinar, Insights from the Hydrogen Economy Report,on 13th March, bringing together experts to discuss the findings, regional opportunities and next steps for businesses and stakeholders. The session will include a keynote presentation from report author Laura Norris and a panel discussion chaired by Karen Brooks, Deputy Director of GW-SHIFT.

The webinar will explore how businesses, investors, and regional partners can seize these opportunities. Attendees will hear about supply chain development, policy support mechanisms, and existing projects already delivering socio-economic benefits through green innovation, alongside practical insights to help councils, SMEs, and stakeholders begin or expand their hydrogen initiatives.

Download the Hydrogen Economy Report HERE.