Budget funding provides hydrogen boost for North
Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen will receive the largest share from the government’s £2.3bn allocation for green hydrogen projects, with three more projects across the North West and North East regions also included.
In total, 11 green hydrogen projects across Great Britain will benefit from the Budget announcement, totalling 125MW.
BLCH has been allocated 21MW of capacity, and will be developed by Hygen Energy and N-Gen with the support of the council.
Over in the North East, Tees Green Hydrogen will be led by EDF Renewables Hydrogen, with an allocation of 5.2MW.
Carlton Power and Schroders Greencoat will be developing two projects in the North West to receive the government funding: Trafford Green Hydroge has been allocated 10.5MW capacity and Barrow Green Hydrogen 21MW.
Elsewhere, funding has gone to two projects in Scotland, two in Wales, one in the South East, one in the South West, and one in the East Midlands.
The funding, originally announced in December 2023 by the previous government, is intended to fill the cost gap over the next 15 years between renewable hydrogen energy and market price, so as to stimulate production and demand.
The Bradford project is expected to generate £120m for the local economy and support the creation of up to 125 new jobs.
Located at Birkshall Gas Works, the plant will be able to produce 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen per day. Consent was awarded in April.
The site will comprise hydrogen production, storage, dispensing and refuelling facilities.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said: “The Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen programme will play an important role in helping Bradford deliver on its climate change ambitions, as well as bringing investment and green jobs to Bradford.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’ve declared a climate emergency in West Yorkshire, and we’re committed to net zero by 2038, so I’m delighted that one of the UK’s biggest hydrogen production facilities is right here in Bradford.
“This new investment will play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitions of a greener, more secure region, with higher paid jobs and lower energy bills for future generations.”
