UK risks being left behind in hydrogen rush
Prominent entrepreneur calls on government to support industry before European competitors assume leading role
A leading British hydrogen advocate and industrialist has urged the UK’s Conservative government to do more to support the establishment of a hydrogen industry before the former EU country gets left behind by its continental rivals. Jo Bamford, who has been involved in hydrogen for 15 years, is eager for the UK to take a leading role in the emerging global hydrogen economy. He says the government needs to help build demand in the domestic market to enable the industry to get off the ground. While the EU launched its hydrogen strategy in July (see p80) and leading member states including Germany have produced initiatives, the UK is yet to make an equivalent commitment. “You need to star
Also in this section
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies






