The steel industry will need to use hydrogen

IOAN Richards (“Keep green fingers off Wales’ steel industry”, Western Mail letters, May 3) argues that using hydrogen as an alternative to coke in the production of steel is not a feasible option – because the UK does not generate enough electricity to produce hydrogen (presumably, by using electrolysis).

However, the consequences are dire if we do not switch from coke to hydrogen. Fossil fuels produce vast amounts of green house gases, such as CO2. These greenhouse gases cause temperature rise, which, in turn, increase sea-level rise. Sea-level rise would result in worldwide flooding. High temperatures would cause desertification across the planet, seriously affecting food production.

Tidal/tidal stream electricity generation has the potential for generating about 30% of the UK’s electricity. Solar PV technology has the potential of providing a further 10-20% of electricity (if fully incorporated into the UK’s infrastructure). The UK’s demand for electricity will gradually decrease –

this would be the result of increasing efficiency of electrical equipment and electronic appliances. Also, the insulation of domestic and commercial properties would decrease the demand.

The “Holy Grail” for electricity generation is nuclear fusion. Unfortunately, this technology is likely to take another 20 years to be developed. At present, the UK has two experimental nuclear fusion plants (reactors/tokamaks) – one near Oxford and one in Yorkshire. A number of countries are researching and developing nuclear fusion reactors, including China, US, Japan and France (which includes a massive multinational project).

Recycling iron and steel using hydrogen will become far cheaper and more environmentally friendly than using coke.

Brian Hayes Bassaleg, Newport