Hydrogen Investment

The Thames Estuary presents a unique opportunity to realise the UK’s net zero ambition.

The Thames Estuary region is a place where hydrogen can be deployed across a range of end users such as transport (road, maritime and air), construction and industry, making it a viable option for life in a net-zero world.

Our research shows the Thames Estuary has the capacity to support a hydrogen economy that will create 9,000 jobs, generating £3bn in GVA and driving £2.2bn investment in production capacity, and deliver national economic and environmental benefits.

The evidenced opportunities and scale of demand in the Thames Estuary are outlined in our Hydrogen Route Map.

Hydrogen investment opportunities in the Thames Estuary

Current investment opportunities exist around:

Creating an Estuary-wide hydrogen ecosystem supporting a range of sectors.
Establishing “Living Labs” for next generation research and development.

Find out how we work with investors

The Estuary-wide hydrogen ecosystem

Now is the time for investors and developers get involved in the hydrogen economy in the Estuary. We have demonstrated the scale of opportunity across a range of uses and also a range of bankable supporting projects.

Our Hydrogen Route Map sets out:

Why the Estuary is uniquely placed to become a hydrogen ecosystem.
Sectors driving demand.
The ‘cluster’ locations identified.
Worked case study of a cluster in the region.
Investment plan and investor ask.
How to get involved as an investor, business, university or another stakeholder.

Read the Hydrogen Route Map Summary

Sectors driving demand for hydrogen in the Thames Estuary

The Estuary is a significant area of demand for hydrogen across multiple uses, including:

Ports, maritime and river transport.
Airports and aviation.
Construction.
Distribution and logistics.
Industry.

Photo of Port of Tilbury. Ports, waterborne freight and logistics would all benefit from hydrogen production in the Thames Estuary.

Living Labs - shaping the next generation of hydrogen technology

The Estuary is a prime location for innovation thanks to the huge range of sectors and end users in the region with a need to decarbonise.

Our Living Labs are an opportunity to invest in cutting-edge research and development and the first commercialisation of new technology.

The Thames Estuary is ready to become a global leader in research and development, trialling cutting-edge technologies and innovation. Join us.

Our delivery timescale

The Thames Estuary Growth Board has been the catalyst for action by establishing demand from real end users, identifying production, distribution and storage opportunities and pulling together investment clusters.

We have a range of opportunities across the short and medium term, responding to demand we have been able to quantify through our work. Our aim is to create stable demand profiles for hydrogen across multiple users to create a solid revenue platform suitable for investment.

We invite investors, researchers and developers, businesses and universities to get in touch about this opportunity that will have regional, national and international benefits.

Opportunities will be updated regularly as they evolve.

Contact enquiries@thamesestuary.org.uk for more information.

Graphic saying our ambition os to deliver projects in a 2 to 3 year time scale.. Contact us today enquiries@thamesestuary.org.uk

Why we are developing an Estuary hydrogen ecosystem

Thames Estuary Growth Board’s work is about unlocking the vast potential of the Thames Estuary, the UK’s best growth opportunity. The region has the potential to create 1.3 million jobs and add £190 billion to the nations’ economy by 2050.

We are committed to unlocking this through good, green growth and making this the cleanest Estuary in the world. Read about our plans in the Green Blue.

The Estuary presents a unique and powerful opportunity for building a hydrogen ecosystem at a scale and critical mass that makes it uniquely attractive for investment. The Estuary has an important role to play alongside other regions to ensure the UK reaches its zero carbon ambitions.

Discover our other investment opportunities