As part of the recently formed Hydrogen Taskforce, Baxi Heating is calling on government to mandate hydrogen-ready boilers for all new gas boiler installations by 2025. The company is also calling for £1bn of investment to prepare the UK for hydrogen production, distribution, and storage at scale, which will be necessary if the UK is to develop a hydrogen future and meet Net Zero.

Launched today in Parliament, the Hydrogen Taskforce brings together ten organisations, including Baxi, BP, Shell, ITM, BOC, Arup, Cadent, DBD, Storengy, and BNP Paribas.

The Taskforce marks its launch with the publication of a report called ‘The Role of Hydrogen in delivering Net Zero’ which sets out actions that must be taken by industry and Government over the next five years to scale hydrogen applications, specifically its production, distribution and storage.

“Baxi and others in the heating industry are preparing to deliver clean heating and play our part in tackling climate change,” comments Jeff House, head of external affairs for Baxi Heating. “We now call on the government to match our commitment with a clear message that hydrogen is one of the key solutions to deliver Net Zero by committing £1bn towards readying the UK for hydrogen in the upcoming Spending Review.”

Hydrogen is considered to be a straightforward and practical solution for consumers in the process of decarbonising domestic heating, as it isn’t predicted to involve major upheaval to make the switch from natural gas.

“From the consumer’s perspective,” adds Jeff House, “hydrogen will offer everything they value from their current heating solution, namely instantaneous heat and hot water delivered by the existing gas network. We urge government to prioritise it in its future plans.”

Baxi says its membership of the Hydrogen Taskforce demonstrates its belief that hydrogen will play a key role in the future of heat. The company has already developed a ‘hydrogen-boiler’, which can be initially installed to operate on natural gas and then easily converted to hydrogen at a future date.

“I would like to see public trials in occupied buildings of 100% hydrogen heating both in the domestic and commercial settings,” says Jeff House. “Given the current UK domestic gas boiler market is around 1.6m units per year, a mandate that all boiler installations from 2025 are hydrogen-ready would mean that a significant proportion of the existing housing stock is prepared for a future changeover.

“The installation of hydrogen-ready boilers could begin long before 100% hydrogen is available within a locality by utilising the existing natural gas network. Once hydrogen is available, the hydrogen-ready boilers can be simply and easily converted to hydrogen without the need for a new heating system.’’

To read the Hydrogen Taskforce report, click here.