UK, Chile go up Cornwall Insight’s low-carbon hydrogen ladder

The UK and Chile are the standouts in research group Cornwall Insight’s Low-carbon Hydrogen Index for 2023 as both rose two positions compared to the 2022 ranking of the countries that have the potential to be global leaders in the new hydrogen economy.

Moreover, the UK is now among the global leaders in advancing the low-carbon hydrogen economy as it surpassed both Spain and Japan to occupy the third position. Chile, in turn, ranks sixth, while Germany continues to hold the crown.

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Launched in 2022, Cornwall Insight’s Low-carbon Hydrogen Index ranks the 14 countries with the highest potential to develop advanced low-carbon hydrogen economies. The rankings are based on a range of indicators including the comprehensiveness of a nation’s hydrogen strategy, implementation timelines, targets for capacity, storage, and networks, committed government funding, financing mechanisms for R&D and infrastructure development, as well as the strategy review process. The index is presented below.

The research group said in a statement that the new UK ranking reflects its objective to double 2030 capacity targets to 10 GW and the improved future clarity within the sector thanks to the introduction of an investor roadmap.

Meanwhile, Germany has managed to maintain its top position thanks to the government’s commitment to achieving low-carbon hydrogen production of 15 GW by 2035, if possible, but no later than 2040.

“The UK’s low carbon hydrogen strategy can always go further, and it has some way to go to meet the target commitments of Germany,” commented Jamie Maule, Research Analyst at Cornwall Insight.