Plans for submitted for green hydrogen production hub

Plans have been submitted for what its developer claim will be the UK’s first commercial-scale, low-carbon hydrogen fuel hub.

Carlton Power is behind proposals for a green hydrogen production and storage hub at the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester, which is located on the site of the former Carrington coal plant.

The energy developer’s subsidiary, Trafford Green Hydrogen, has submitted a planning application for the hub.

Carlton’s development manager Eric Adams told Utility Week that the hub will be the first such commercial-scale facility in the UK.

He said that the hydrogen will be produced using electrolysers powered by a mixture of electricity supplied down a dedicated private wire from a solar farm and procured through power purchase agreements with renewable generators.

The application is seeking detailed planning permission for 10MW of hydrogen production capacity, sufficient to produce 800 to 1,000 tonnes of the fuel annually.

In addition, the application seeks outline permission for the remainder of the proposed 200MW hydrogen hub.

The hub is designed to provide businesses in the Greater Manchester region – for example those with transport fleets or with heating requirements – with easy access to hydrogen fuel.

The scheme is the first hydrogen scheme being developed by Carlton Power, which plans to bring forward up to ten similar projects in the UK over the next two to five years.

Subject to winning planning permission, construction of the hydrogen hub is due to start early next year and enter commercial operation in 2023.

The hub is due to be located next to the 250MWh Carlton Highview Power liquid air storage project.

Keith Clarke, chief executive of Carlton Power, said: “The hydrogen hub is an important component of our Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park. Trafford Park is set to become an exemplar of clean energy technologies being put to commercial use, placing Greater Manchester at the forefront of the green revolution and the UK’s energy transition.”

The planning application will be determined by Trafford Council, the local planning authority.

The hub at Trafford Park is being brought forward following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between Carlton Power and local stakeholders, comprising Manchester Metropolitan University, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Trafford Council, Cadent Gas and Electricity North West.

The application has been submitted ahead of the upcoming publication, anticipated next week, of the UK’s government’s hydrogen strategy.