Electrify Industry — a new body that is ‘powered’ by
Make UK to represent businesses seeking to decarbonise the UK’s industrial base through electrification — says that while it recognises hydrogen and CCS (carbon capture and storage) will play an important role, for many businesses, electrification offers the most sensible and sustainable method of decarbonisation.
Electrify Industry says that to get the most out of the opportunity within the energy transition, there are several hurdles that need to be overcome. These can be briefly summarised as: internationally competitive electricity prices; a domestic level playing field for support for decarbonisation options; optimising electricity Grid connectivity; developing a UK supply chain for industrial electrification; investment in skills; and prioritising research and innovation.
Chris Williams of Industry Wales, which advises on the development of economic policy and planning in Wales, said: “The launch of Electrify Industry is an important milestone in helping to ensure a sustainable future for our manufacturing sector. As our industries look to decarbonise, the energy solutions they will look to use will be hydrogen, CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage) and electrification. It is a fact that the majority are likely to electrify, and it is therefore increasingly important that a strong ‘voice’ is created to support the growth of electrification alongside the existing voices of hydrogen and CCUS.
“This is not a competition between technologies, each business within UK industry must be able to choose the right technology for them. Just like for hydrogen and CCUS, business models, supply chain capability planning, skills development plans, and research and innovation programmes will need to be coordinated and implemented. Electrify Industry will take forward these challenges and provide the coordination needed to help ready the UK to support our industries through their huge electrification journey.”
Daniel Paterson from Electrify Industry added: “For the UK to maximise the growth and job creation opportunities available in the energy transition, we need a policy framework that helps businesses get ahead of the curve and ensure that the UK remains the vibrant, innovative and industrious place to create. Electrify Industry has laid out six areas that we believe need addressing in such policy and we look forward to working with members, partners and policy decision makers to find solutions to ensure that the UK’s industrial economy is able to develop and grow in the years ahead.”