Essar Oil UK and Progressive Energy joint venture, Vertex has been developing what it says will be the UK’s largest hydrogen hub, capable of producing 1GW of low-carbon hydrogen annually from 2026, forming an integral part of the HyNet cluster.

Read more: Plans unveiled for 1GW hydrogen production hub in the UK

Carlton Power has announced numerous green hydrogen production facility plans around the UK, with two planned in the North West. In October (2022) the company announced it has secured planning permission for the development of a 200MW plant in Trafford, Manchester.

Read more: Carlton Power secures planning permission for Manchester’s first hydrogen hub

Representing 38 UK organisation focused on driving forward the development of the hydrogen economy in the North West of England, the NWHA in recent years has made calls on the UK Government to step up policy support for hydrogen.

Prof. Joe Howe, Chair of the NWHA and Executive Director, Energy Research Institute at the University of Chester, said, ““The North West is at the heart of the UK’s hydrogen economy with great things happening across the full chain of production, distribution, transport, storage and fuel switching. It’s great to welcome Vertex Hydrogen and Carlton Power to the North West Hydrogen Alliance, who as future hydrogen producers are a vitally important part of the jigsaw.”

Josef Seifer, Chief Executive at Vertex Hydrogen, commented, “We are very proud to be developing the first large scale, low carbon hydrogen production hub in the UK, right here in the North West as we fuel the decarbonisation of the region and help secure and grow our vital industries with highly skilled jobs. NWHA is a critical element of growing the hydrogen economy and we are delighted to have joined.”

Eric Adams, Project Director at Carlton Power, added, “We are excited to join the Alliance to provide support in enabling the use of green hydrogen across the North West region, which will complement the HyNet scheme by providing hydrogen to smaller industrial users in advance of injection of hydrogen into the gas network.”

The news comes a week before the UK’s first national Hydrogen Week, launched by the NWHA. Taking place on February 13-19, 2023, the week will bring together stakeholders across the UK to celebrate and promote the role of hydrogen in reaching Net Zero.

Read more: UK’s first Hydrogen Week launched

A showcase event, dubbed Delivering the Hydrogen Economy, is being held in Liverpool on February 14, 2023 with speakers including Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, INOVYN, Cadent, Vertex Hydrogen and Carlton Power.

H2 View is media partner of Hydrogen Week and will be bringing you all the main stories of the week.