Hydrogen power plants are set to play a key role in the government's push to break the oil and natural gas reliance and focus on clean energy, ministers have said.
The government this week progressing with its plans to have the UK's first hydrogen-fired power plants operational, along with a potential two huge storage projects, by 2030, the Telegraph reports.
Hydrogen gas is thought to be pivotal in maintaining power levels during periods of mild and darker weather when solar and wind production levels dip.
At present, that is provided by natural gas plants, and Ed Milliband's clean energy plan will initially see these maintained as back up.
In an update published on Wednesday, industry minister Sarah Jones said: “I am convinced that hydrogen must be at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and to become net zero by 2050.
“Low-carbon hydrogen has a unique role to play in supporting the decarbonisation of power and in transitioning vital UK industries away from fossil fuels.
“Backing the UK hydrogen sector can unlock significant economic opportunities, whilst delivering a cleaner and more resilient energy system.”
Meanwhile, blustery conditions in Scotland and Northern Ireland this week sent electricity prices tumbling - to minus £6.57 per megawatt-hour.
The Times reports a "record level" of electricity was produced by Britain's turbines on Tuesday night, breaking a short-lived previous record which was only set on Sunday evening.
Data from European electric power exchange Epex Spot shows supply outstripped demand, briefly pushing prices below zero between 5.20am and 6.30am on Wednesday.