Under the partnership, Element 2 will supply its mobile refuelling solutions in Devon and Cornwall, counties where Tower Group is planning to establish three hydrogen hubs as part of plans to form a new hydrogen ecosystem in the South West.

In addition to the mobile refuelling solutions, Element 2 plans to build permanent stations to provide hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) with a network of refuelling stations along key routes in Devon and Cornwall.

Tower Group’s hydrogen hub plans include sites along the M5 motorway as well as the key A30 road, connecting the South West with London.

The South West-based developer, in September last year (2022) announced it had joined forces with law firm Foot Anstey, real estate company Savills, and financial planner PKF Francis Clark to kickstart the hydrogen ecosystem in the region.

Read more: Four companies collaborate to build green hydrogen ecosystem in South West of UK

“Our hydrogen hubs will have the capacity to store significant volumes of hydrogen, and working with partners like Element 2, we will be able to ensure a regular and reliable supply of hydrogen to customers,” said Alex King, Managing Director of Tower Group.

King added, “Together, we will develop a clean and green ecosystem in the South West, supporting local jobs and local industry.”

H2 View understands, as part of the new collaboration, Element 2 will provide technical and logistical support for planning or scoping exercises in relation to establishing its hydrogen refuelling solutions, as well as aiding Tower Group in identifying fleet customers for hydrogen stored at its facilities.

The latest partnership comes as part of Element 2’s plans of setting up a UK-wide hydrogen refuelling network. In 2021, the company said it wanted to deploy more than 800 hydrogen pumps in the UK by 2027.

Read more: Element 2 wants to deploy 800+ hydrogen pumps in the UK by 2027

“This announcement is further evidence of us delivering on our plans to operate a UK-wide network of safe, high-quality hydrogen refuelling stations from Land’s End to John o’ Groats by 2027,” said Dr. Andrew Hagan, Chief Development Officer at Element 2.

Hagan continued, “By working in partnership with Tower Group and other forward-thinking organisations in the UK hydrogen economy, together we will enable the decarbonisation of heavy goods transport across the country and deliver a greener future.”

Launched in 2022, consortium Hydrogen South West has aired its support for the plans, with Simon Earles, Chair of Hydrogen South West saying, “We are delighted to see partnerships such as these being announced because it is only by working together that we will grow the hydrogen ecosystem to meet the increasing demand in the South West.”