The system will be installed at the Port of Tilbury and will use on-site solar panels to produce hydrogen under a 10-year agreement, with an option for extension.
The specific use case of the hydrogen has not been disclosed. However, GeoPura’s statement points towards the port’s existing plant equipment, like reach stackers, forklifts, and heavy goods vehicles.
“Decarbonising these operations presents an opportunity, not only to reduce carbon emissions, but also to improve local air quality and protect worker health,” it said.
The agreement stems from a £2m ($2.6m) seed capital investment from the Thames Freeport industrial cluster.
Andrew Cunningham, CEO of GeoPura, said the port’s hydrogen adoption is a powerful example of how the UK can use existing industrial infrastructure for renewable fuel production.
The firm was recently awarded a major hydrogen supply contract by the UK government to supply 2,500 tonnes of hydrogen for the National Highway’s Lower Thames Crossing construction project.
It is currently finalising its 15MW UK government-backed green hydrogen project.
Last year, GeoPura acquired assets and staff from bankrupt Danish electrolyser firm Green Hydrogen Systems.
Heavy industrial equipment is increasingly an application for hydrogen as a fuel. However, barriers still exist in rolling it into the sector.
High upfront costs, limited refuelling infrastructure, and uncertainty around fuel supply and pricing pose constraints, and OEMs continue to face challenges integrating the fuel into existing fleets.
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