The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has appointed the engineering consultancy firm as the Technical Advisor to the government on hydrogen.

Specifically, the company will advise DESNZ on the technical, engineering, and regulatory aspects of hydrogen, from production, transport, and storage, to use in power generation.

WSP has previously acted in advisory roles to DESNZ on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and greenhouse gas removals (GGR). In July, WSP was also appointed by National Gas as design integrator for its east coast hydrogen backbone pipeline project.

Building on these existing roles, Dominic Cook, Project Director for Low Carbon at WSP, said the latest appointment “allows us to continue helping the UK move from policy ambition to deliver reality in its decarbonisation journey.”

The latest contract for WSP is one of the first awarded under the new DESNZ Professional Services Framework, a mechanism designed to bring in specialist consultancy support for the UK’s energy transition.

Hydrogen is expected to play a central role in the transition. However, its 10GW capacity by 2030 target has been hampered by high production costs, uncertain demand, and limited infrastructure.

International law firm Osborne Clarke warned that without decisive action on targeted government policies, strategic incentives, and the creation of a national hydrogen network, progress in the UK hydrogen industry could stall.