UK urged to lead hydrogen revolution to protect jobs

Ed Miliband’s push towards achieving net zero is jeopardising British jobs by fostering a dependency on Chinese manufacturing, Jo Bamford, heir to the JCB empire, has warned. The Wrightbus owner criticised the Government’s reliance on importing green energy equipment from the Far East and called for a more strategic focus on hydrogen to safeguard domestic employment.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Bamford, who has been advocating for increased hydrogen adoption, stated that while electrification works for certain applications such as cars, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. He argued that heavy industries, which cannot easily electrify their processes, require alternative energy sources such as hydrogen for long-term survival.

Britain’s historical expertise in oil and gas provides a strong foundation for hydrogen innovation, according to Bamford. He pointed out that foundation industries like cement, glass, and brewing need a reliable gas-based energy supply, as electrification is not feasible for their operations. Referring to hydrogen production, he highlighted that low-cost manufacturing could be achieved during off-peak energy hours, ensuring an efficient energy transition.

Mr Bamford is leading efforts through the proposed £6.5 billion HySpeed project, which aims to establish hydrogen production hubs across the UK. These hubs would ensure a steady supply of hydrogen to industries for processes that electrification cannot address. Supporters hail hydrogen as a potential “superfuel” for buses, power plants, shipping, and aviation. Critics, however, question its viability due to high energy demands for production and its relative inefficiency compared to natural gas.

Despite concerns, Bamford dismissed sceptics, labelling them as detached from practical industrial experience. He noted that hydrogen adoption would mitigate job losses by preventing further offshoring of industrial activities. Energy-intensive sectors, such as glass and cement manufacturing, have already faced sharp declines in productivity due to soaring energy costs, underlining the urgency for a sustainable domestic energy solution.

Bamford also raised concerns over the implications of over-reliance on electrification, warning that it could lead to significant strain on the national power grid. He explained that the UK currently utilises three energy networks: electricity, gas, and oil transport. By eliminating gas and oil infrastructure in favour of exclusive reliance on electricity, he said the grid would become overstressed and unable to meet new energy demands such as data centres and multi-vehicle depots.

To address this imbalance, Bamford advocates for government subsidies modelled on contracts for difference (CfDs), similar to those supporting wind farms. This could help boost domestic hydrogen production, create long-term jobs, and ensure Britain remains competitive in key industries that are too important to lose to international competition.