Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), RWE and HCS plan to build an electrolyser unit at HCS’ Harwich site in Essex which produces a range of products for its agrochemicals and fuel additives businesses.

With both firms having already completed feasibility studies for an electrolyser and work being underway to assess grid and water connections, if constructed they have said the green hydrogen would cut HCS’ carbon dioxide emission (CO2) and “sustainably produce a wider range of products.”

The company have not confirmed how green hydrogen produced from the site will be used, but HCS has wider plans to make its products more sustainable and produce sustainable aviation fuels from the Harwich site in the future.

HCS’ Harwich plant currently produces products such as heavy aromatics, special kerosene, drilling mud solvents and high-performance fuels. Hydrogen is widely used in chemical and fuel manufacturing in the hydrogenation process.

H2 View has reached out to RWE for confirmation on the electrolyser’s planned capacity and how the green hydrogen would be used.

Keith Mead, Sustainability Manager at HCS, said it was clear, in particular green hydrogen, would need to be part of the company’s CO2 reduction objectives.

“We are very pleased to be working with RWE to bring such an ambitious and exciting project to the area thus securing local, highly skilled jobs now and for the future,” he said.

Nicole Tang, Hydrogen Project Development Manager at RWE, said, “We are delighted to be working with HCS, our MoU marks the start of a very exciting project.”

Adjacent to the Freeport East area, the plant would be located near the manufacturing facilities for offshore wind turbines, as well as RWE’s operations and maintenance base for the 353MW Galloper wind farm.