Planned hydrogen transport hub gets £3m boost

Plans to develop the UK’s first hydrogen transport hub have been given a £3 million funding boost.

The Department for Transport said the money will support the creation of facilities in the Tees Valley region of north-east England to research and trial the use of hydrogen as a fuel across all transport modes.

A “masterplan” for the site was published on Wednesday.

It could be fully operational by 2025 and help create up to 5,000 new jobs in the region, the DfT added.

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel by combining it with oxygen to produce electricity, water and heat.

Ministers hope the technology can help the UK cut its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “By harnessing the power of hydrogen technology, we have the opportunity to bring long-term prosperity right across the country.

“The hub will establish the UK as a global leader in hydrogen technology, paving the way for its use across all transport modes and propelling us towards our net-zero goals.”

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are “powering forward the UK’s clean energy ambitions” through hydrogen, offshore wind farm manufacturing and carbon capture technology.

He went on: “Our region already produces more than 50% of the UK’s hydrogen so it was a no-brainer for the Government to set up the UK’s first hydrogen transport hub in Teesside so we can lead the way in developing the technology and fully unleash our area’s potential as we build back greener.

“Teesside has led the world in steel manufacturing and engineering for generations. Now we are leading the world in the industries of the future and creating clean good quality, well-paid jobs in the process.”

The Government announced earlier this month it will also provide £4.8 million to support the development of a hydrogen hub in Holyhead, North Wales, subject to a business case.

This site would pilot the creation of hydrogen from renewable energy and its use as a zero-emission fuel for lorries.

It could support up to 500 jobs, the DfT said.