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Short abstract:

Hydrogen development is not only conditioned by technical and geographical factors but socio-technical imaginaries play a crucial role. By comparing two distinct countries, this work reveals how imaginaries influence the development of hydrogen policy processes

Long abstract:

Hydrogen Future is a rather old vision. Nevertheless, it is currently gaining special momentum since numerous countries are developing national hydrogen strategies; mobilizing resources and narrowing down the traditionally abstract meaning around hydrogen. How hydrogen is produced is country-specific; conditioned by the availability of natural resources and geographical particularities. Nevertheless, this paper focuses on how socio-technical imaginaries (STIs) also influence the policy-making processes of hydrogen trajectories.

UK and Chile envision themselves as global hydrogen leaders. Yet, the means to achieve it differ widely. This study employed discourse analysis of hydrogen policy documents (2015-present) to study how STIs shape policy-making processes. Despite both countries are privileged with renewable sources potential, UK pursue blue and green hydrogen while Chile only green. UK approach has been heavily criticized, pointing to the oil and gas industry interests in natural gas and using blue hydrogen for this purpose. The Chilean strategy envision hydrogen as an opportunity to modernize the country, become a relevant geopolitical actor, and pursue societal justice concerns.

Current findings of this study suggest that decarbonizing concerns are not the main drivers for developing hydrogen futures in neither country. On the contrary, hydrogen serves as the legitimate pathway to achieve different national goals. UK endeavours to maintain the oil and gas industry while Chile is imaging a modern and robust country. The exploration of STIs in both counties contributes to elucidate Global North and Global South dynamics in transitions, and it may also contribute to understand how hydrogen could help social justice concerns.