Hydrogen in construction: hype or the real deal?

Fact: construction and the built environment are responsible for a staggering 39% of global carbon emissions. And it’s no wonder — over 300,000 Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) units are working on UK sites, burning through 2.5 million tonnes of diesel each year. Add diesel generators and another 2.07 million tonnes of diesel used just to move machines around, and it’s clear that this industry runs on fossil fuels.

Fact: the UK has committed to reaching net zero by 2050.

So, here’s the big question: how do we reach net zero and keep the construction industry moving? Is hydrogen really the answer?

Hydrogen: the contender for cleaner power

Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth — and it’s starting to look like the front-runner in the race to replace diesel. Over 40 countries have published hydrogen strategies, and it’s forecast that 22% of global energy demand could be met with hydrogen by 2050.

Unlike wind and solar, hydrogen doesn’t rely on the weather. But it’s not perfect: hydrogen is expensive, infrastructure is patchy, and availability is limited.

That’s changing fast.

The UK government is backing hydrogen in a big way with 11 green hydrogen hubs in development, more than anywhere else in Europe. Fuel cell technology means hydrogen can be delivered by road, reducing the need for expensive pipelines and making deployment more practical for contractors.

So, what’s holding us back?

Cost. Right now, many hydrogen products are still out of reach for most small and mid-sized contractors, but not all. The big players are certainly leading the way. As they invest and adopt, the price of green hydrogen is expected to fall — potentially halving in the next 10 years.

Once that happens, hydrogen will be:

• Widely available

• Affordable

• Easy to transport

• Straightforward to use

Plus, hydrogen-powered equipment is quieter and offers high energy density, making it ideal for urban sites as well as for long hours on-site.

Hydrogen in plant: already happening

Manufacturers like JCB are putting serious investment into hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE). Others, like Volvo and Caterpillar, are working on fuel cell technology that can power construction machinery. Hydrogen tower lights are already an affordable solution.

We’re also seeing a growing number of dual-fuel conversions — machines that run on a hydrogen/diesel mix — as a practical stepping stone to full hydrogen adoption.

What’s Hyra doing about it?

At Hyra, we’re helping contractors make the leap. We:

• Advise on the right hydrogen-powered equipment

• Source and deliver hydrogen-powered equipment nationwide

• Arrange fuel cell hydrogen delivery directly to your site

We know the challenges and we know the kit — and we’ll help you make sense of the options.

And yes — some tenders are already weighting bids based on emissions. That means working more sustainably will win you work, even if it’s more expensive upfront.

Ready to start future-proofing your projects?

Hydrogen is coming. The question is, will you be ready when it does?

If you want to find out how hydrogen can power your site, give us a call on 0333 533 0100 or get in touch with the Hyra team.