Use of two hydrogen power units on a site in west London slashed carbon emissions by 51t per 400 hours while producing the electricity required for operations on the rapid rail link project.

HS2 air quality manager Andrea Davidson said the use of hydrogen rather than diesel to power site equipment brought “major” benefits.

The results of the trial were announced as the government held its Hydrogen Investment Summit, where energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng set out progress made on unlocking £9bn of investment to realise the “enormous potential” of the natural gas.

Ministers also officially opened the £240M Net Zero Hydrogen Fund for bids as well as launching the Hydrogen Business Model, which is designed to incentivise the production and use of low-carbon hydrogen.