Two leading hydrogen production companies, who are committed to bringing low carbon hydrogen to the UK, have joined the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA).
Vertex Hydrogen and Carlton Power have added their weight to the NWHA, a growing body of the most influential organisations in the North West focused on developing the nation’s hydrogen economy.
Vertex Hydrogen, a joint venture between Essar Oil UK and Progressive Energy, is designing, developing and building the UK’s first low carbon hydrogen production plant. An essential part of the HyNet Track 1 low carbon cluster – selected by Government to progress as one of the first in the UK – the production plant with a capacity of 1GW will be located at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex located in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The hydrogen will replace the use of fossil fuels in industry and so rapidly reduce CO2 emissions.
Carlton Power is developing a number of green hydrogen production facilities around the UK, with two planned in the North West. Plans for a 200MW green hydrogen project in Trafford, Greater Manchester, were permitted in October 2022. Trafford Green Hydrogen forms part of the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park which includes the largest liquid air energy storage scheme in Europe and one of the largest battery storage schemes in the UK. Plans for a similar facility in Barrow, Cumbria were submitted late last year.
Joseph Seifert, Chief Executive at Vertex Hydrogen said: “We are very proud to be developing the first large scale, low carbon hydrogen production hub in the UK, right here in the North West as we fuel the decarbonisation of the region and help secure and grow our vital industries with highly skilled jobs. NWHA is a critical element of growing the hydrogen economy and we are delighted to have joined.”
Eric Adams, Projects Director at Carlton Power said: “Carlton Power are a leading developer of energy projects in the UK, in addition to the planned Trafford Green Hydrogen situated at the old Carrington Coal Fired Power Station, we are progressing with plans for up to 800MW of green hydrogen projects across the UK.
“We are excited to join the Alliance to provide support in enabling the use of green hydrogen across the North West region, which will complement the HyNet scheme by providing hydrogen to smaller industrial users in advance of injection of hydrogen into the gas network.”
The NWHA recently launched the UK’s first national Hydrogen Week. Taking place on 13th-19th February 2023 it will bring together stakeholders across the UK, celebrating and promoting the role of hydrogen in reaching net zero. A showcase event Delivering the Hydrogen Economy is being held in Liverpool on 14th February with speakers including Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, INOVYN, Cadent, Vertex Hydrogen and Carlton Power.
Professor Joe Howe, Chair of the NWHA and Executive Director, Energy Research Institute at the University of Chester, said: “The North West is at the heart of the UK’s hydrogen economy with great things happening across the full chain of production, distribution, transport, storage and fuel switching. It’s great to welcome Vertex Hydrogen and Carlton Power to the North West Hydrogen Alliance, who as future hydrogen producers are a vitally important part of the jigsaw. The news couldn’t be more timely as we gear up for the UK’s first Hydrogen Week later this month, which will shine a spotlight on all the amazing hydrogen projects taking place not just in the North West but all across the nation.”
The North West Hydrogen Alliance is the largest industry-funded regional hydrogen alliance, representing 38 of the UK’s most influential organisations driving forward the development of a hydrogen economy in the North West of England.
