A new manifesto from the UK's fuel cell industry highlights the key role which fuel cells and hydrogen could play in the new Government’s priorities of addressing the economic downturn and national debt, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gases emissions and improving Britain’s energy security.
Six key recommendations to help stimulate the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy have been identified by Fuel Cells UK, the trade organisation representing companies — including Rolls Royce, BOC and Johnson Matthey — involved in fuel cell development. Its manifesto calls for:
1. Extending support for fuel cells as part of the Feed-In Tariff scheme
2. Focusing support for commercial development
3. Providing ongoing demonstration support activity
4. Using Forward Commitment Procurement
5. Changing existing regulation
6. Introducing Enhanced Capital Allowances and tax breaks for the low-carbon industry.
Adopting these measures will enhance fuel cells’ and hydrogen’s competitiveness and allow the market to stimulate further low-carbon technology development, says the manifesto. The organisation calls on the Government to act promptly to ensure that this ‘window of opportunity’ for fuel cells and hydrogen is not closed before the benefits for the economy, climate and wider energy market can be realised.
