Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to allow projects that use ammonia cracking technology to be eligible in future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In line with our current priorities, the Hydrogen Production Business Model is intended to support primary methods of hydrogen production, such as electrolytic and CCUS-enabled production, in the UK. Ammonia cracking would not create any new hydrogen (given the ammonia itself is produced from hydrogen) and so we do not consider it to meet these criteria.
We are currently developing our approach to future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HARs), including the third Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR3), to ensure they deliver on the Government’s priorities. We will seek feedback on the proposed design and delivery of HAR3 through a market engagement exercise, similar to the approach taken for HAR2. Further details will be provided in due course.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to develop a green ammonia market in the UK.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Low carbon ammonia could play a role in reaching net zero as part of a diversified energy mix. Officials are working closely with other departments, such as the Department for Transport, to understand potential demand for low carbon ammonia, where appropriate supply may come from, and whether any Government intervention may be required.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the size of the global green ammonia market; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of steps other nations are taking to support the development of green ammonia projects.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The current green ammonia market is minimal, but it is expected to grow as electrolytic hydrogen production scales up. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimate that 92Mt of green ammonia (about 40% of total ammonia production) will be produced globally each year by 2050 in their Net Zero Scenario. Ammonia is also expected to play a role in hydrogen trade, with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimating that 690Mt/yr of ammonia could be utilised for transporting hydrogen in their 2050 Net Zero Scenario.
Officials are working closely with other departments, such as the Department for Transport, to understand potential demand for low carbon ammonia in the UK, where appropriate supply may come from, and whether any Government intervention may be required.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of classifying ammonia as a fuel vector.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Officials are working closely with other departments, such as the Department for Transport, to understand the potential role of ammonia in the UK’s future low carbon economy and how it should be considered within the UK’s policy frameworks.
Low carbon ammonia, as a derivative of low carbon hydrogen, could have the potential to play a role in reaching net zero where it could be used as a chemical feedstock or burned as a fuel in transport or power stations, and could also be stored in large quantities. The Department for Transport’s (DfT) 2019 Clean Maritime Plan sets out the significant role that low carbon ammonia and methanol may play in decarbonising the maritime sector.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier to support industrial decarbonisation.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government continues to review the range of potential hydrogen carriers and their role in supporting the long-distance transport and trade of hydrogen, including its contribution to industrial decarbonisation. These potential options include ammonia, methanol, liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), and liquid hydrogen. Our ongoing assessment highlights the need for further research, demonstration and learning from deployment in order to optimise these carrier options, whilst ensuring environmental and safety concerns have been fully considered and mitigated.
Asked by: Kit Malthouse (Conservative - North West Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory direct ministerial appointments excluding special advisers he has made; and (i) who the appointee was and (ii) what the (A) remuneration, (B) title and (C) terms of reference was for each appointment.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
No statutory direct ministerial appointments have been made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has made two non-statutory direct ministerial appointments: