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.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the international export potential of UK manufacturers of ammonia cracking technology.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are aware of various companies developing ammonia cracking technologies, who are also looking to export these technologies overseas. We are committed to ensuring that businesses in the UK hydrogen sector grow and thrive, including through exports of hydrogen goods and services, so they can benefit from the opportunities of the transition to clean energy, through strong international trade relationships and effective supply chains.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including green ammonia technologies in (a) the advanced manufacturing or (b) clean energy industries sections of the Industrial Strategy.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors, including both advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries. Low carbon ammonia could play a role in reaching net zero as part of a diverse energy mix. All sectors can shape and benefit from policy reform through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission.

The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Found: OUT0022 - Outside employment and interests Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP (Member of Parliament at House of

Found: Resolved, That Emily Darlington, George Freeman, Dr Allison Gardner, Kit Malthouse, Steve Race, Josh

Found: At the last hearing, Kit Malthouse got very annoyed about the Digital Catapult.

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: Agreed to_184 Kim Leadbeater Daisy Cooper Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: Negatived on division_NC36 Laura Trott Neil O'Brien Patrick Spencer Damian Hinds Kit Malthouse .

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: Agreed to_184 Kim Leadbeater Daisy Cooper Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: Negatived on division_NC36 Laura Trott Neil O'Brien Patrick Spencer Damian Hinds Kit Malthouse .

Found: _NC36 Laura Trott Neil O'Brien Patrick Spencer Damian Hinds Kit Malthouse .

Found: _NC36 Laura Trott Neil O'Brien Patrick Spencer Damian Hinds Kit Malthouse .

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: _NC36 Laura Trott Neil O'Brien Patrick Spencer Damian Hinds Kit Malthouse .

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: _NC36 Laura Trott Neil O'Brien Patrick Spencer Damian Hinds Kit Malthouse ★.

Found: _221 Kim Leadbeater Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: Agreed to_184 Kim Leadbeater Daisy Cooper Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

Found: Agreed to_184 Kim Leadbeater Daisy Cooper Rachel Hopkins Kit Malthouse .

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is launching an inquiry into the role of science diplomacy and research and development (R&D) in supporting the UK Government’s growth missions, enhancing the UK’s international influence, and contributing to national security. Science diplomacy encompasses the political support for science in an international context, cross-border research collaborations, science advice for global policymaking, and public engagement activities.