The Government is understood to be planning to publish its strategy later this year.
Hydrogen is made by applying an electric charge to water, separating hydrogen from oxygen. To qualify as “green” the electricity must come from renewable sources. Burning hydrogen recombines the gas with oxygen to produce water vapour, so it produces little or no greenhouse gas. The EU has pledged to support the development of the fuel, which is even seen as a possible replacement for kerosene in aviation, with €150 billion over the coming decades.
Dr Carton explained that wind farms with no connection to the national electricity grid, or whose power is not needed, could be used to produce hydrogen.