NGN, the gas distributor for the North East, Cumbria and much of Yorkshire, is carrying out the project in a joint venture with the two companies which are, respectively, the hydrogen production and distribution businesses established by clean energy pioneer Jo Bamford.

The project will be built on NGN’s decommissioned gas storage site of Bowling Back Lane in central Bradford and aims to deliver one of the UK’s largest low carbon hydrogen production facilities.

The site will also have on-site refuelling for hydrogen vehicles, EV charging, and a low carbon technology education centre.

Residents and businesses in West Yorkshire will be able to use the refuelling facilities, with Ryze supplying hydrogen to transport and industrial users across the region.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said the city launched its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on September 26 with an objective to reduce air pollution within the city.

“We believe that the CAZ will demonstrate the council’s commitment to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions, and will lay the foundations upon which low carbon projects in the city and the wider region could be built,” the spokesperson said.

“We hope that the hydrogen hub will encourage energy users across the region to convert to low cost low carbon hydrogen as their energy source of the future.”

Gareth Mills, Regulation and Strategic Planning Director at NGN, said NGN has long been committed to supporting the role of hydrogen in a future low carbon energy system.

He said, “Hydrogen has a key role in ensuring that customers continue to receive choice in the type of energy they use and for many in our region, provide a practical and cost-effective way to decarbonise their energy needs.”

It has deployed a number of demonstration projects, including supplying 700 homes near Gateshead with blended hydrogen for heating and cooking.

Andrew Newman, Managing Director of Hygen, believes this project will not just produce low carbon hydrogen for Bradford and the surrounding area, but also sets an example how these complex projects can be delivered.

He said, “The hydrogen economy of tomorrow cannot be delivered by companies working in isolation on their own projects.  Success will require multiple stakeholders to come together to share their expertise to deliver the best possible projects.”

The joint venture also announced that grant funding may be available for energy users in the Bradford area wishing to convert to low carbon hydrogen produced by the project to decarbonise their operations.

Funding will be prioritised to projects that have the greatest impact on reducing air pollution and/or carbon emissions.  Anyone interested in applying for such grant funding can email: bradford@hygenergy.com.