The North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) has welcomed two new members – National Gas and Utiliqo at a time when the future direction of the UK’s hydrogen sector is coming into sharper focus ahead of the government’s Hydrogen Strategy Refresh.
The new members join the alliance as hydrogen policy and planning enter an important phase. With growing interest and activity across the sector, the pace and scale of progress will be shaped by decisions taken in the coming months on market frameworks, infrastructure planning and long-term demand.
The forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy refresh represents a critical opportunity for government to set out a clear direction for hydrogen’s role within the wider energy system. For regions such as the North West, where capability and ambition already exist, a well-defined policy framework will be essential to support steady, long-term progress and informed decision-making.
Dave Richardson, Chair of the NWHA and Decarbonisation Solutions Director at Costain, said, “We’re proud to welcome National Gas and Utiliqo to the Alliance. Their decision to align with the North West underlines the region’s strength, capability and ambition in hydrogen.
“Both national organisations bring valuable experience, scale and insight, and their involvement represents a strong vote of confidence in the region and in the role hydrogen will play in the UK’s future energy mix. As national policy continues to evolve, collaboration of this kind will be essential in turning strategy into meaningful progress.”
National Gas is Britain’s national gas network, which owns, builds, manages and maintains the critical infrastructure that underpins the country’s energy security. It also provides infrastructure services to hydrogen projects across the value chain including pipelines, metering and pressure control. It is playing a leading role in preparing the network for hydrogen, developing products and services to enable hydrogen and supporting the transition to net zero while safeguarding the UK’s industrial competitiveness.
Chris Wood, Hydrogen and Innovation lead at National Gas Metering said, “We are exctied to join the Northwest Hydrogen alliance and look forward to collaboration with fellow members in the alliance as well as supporting the north west’s ambitous hydrogen objectives.”
Utiliquo works across the UK, providing bespoke digital design & consultancy services for the utilities & energy sector. It contributes expertise in digital systems and asset management, supporting the planning and operation of complex energy infrastructure. As the hydrogen industry develops, such capabilities will be increasingly valuable in helping organisations assess system requirements, manage risk and improve decision-making.
Shae Yates, Managing Diretor at Utiliqo said, “We are committed to supporting the transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions, and we firmly believe that collaboration is fundamental to achieving meaningful progress. Becoming a member of the North West Hydrogen Alliance represents an important milestone for our organisation, and we are optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead through shared knowledge, innovation, and partnership.
“We are particularly excited to connect with the diverse range of organisations, industry leaders, and stakeholders associated with the Alliance. The collective expertise and ambition within the NWHA community creates a powerful platform for driving positive change, fostering innovation, and delivering real-world impact within the hydrogen sector. We are confident that our membership will enable us to strengthen relationships, explore collaborative opportunities, and play a constructive role in shaping the future of hydrogen and sustainable infrastructure.”
With National Gas and Utiliqo joining the alliance, the North West Hydrogen Alliance continues to bring together some of the UK’s most influential organisations focused on supporting the development of hydrogen in the region.
Against this backdrop, Hydrogen Week UK will return in 2026 from 18th – 24th May, offering a timely opportunity for industry, policymakers and regional stakeholders to come together to share learning, reflect on progress and engage in informed discussion about the future role of hydrogen.
Spearheaded by the NWHA, Hydrogen Week UK is a nationwide awareness-raising campaign designed to champion hydrogen’s role in the clean energy transition, increase understanding of the sector, and showcase activity taking place across the UK. For further information.
