Britain wants hydrogen to provide 35% of its energy consumption by 2050

The UK is due to host a major round of United Nations climate talks in Glasgow in November, where Mr Johnson will need to demonstrate leadership if he hopes to persuade other polluters to reduce their emissions.

Hydrogen could be vital to UK efforts to eliminate greenhouse gases by changing the way vehicles are fuelled, factories are powered and homes are heated, UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said.

The UK has unveiled a strategy that aims to unlock £4bn of investment in hydrogen production by 2030, supporting 9,000 jobs. Ministers are planning to use similar incentives to those that helped boost offshore wind production.