Clean energy developer Logan Energy is to install the first hydrogen refuelling plant in in Holyhead, North Wales, after securing a deal with social enterprise, Menter Môn.
The Edinburgh-based firm will lead a consortium of Welsh businesses and specialists on the Holyhead installation which promises to cut emissions from hauliers at the UK’s second biggest roll-on roll-off port.
The Holyhead Hydrogen Hub – a hydrogen production plant, refuelling and distribution hub – will be a first of its kind and is supported by the Isle of Anglesey County Council and the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund.
With a target operational date of 2023, this project will be the first to be developed in Wales and will be followed by collaborations in other regions in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The hub aims to create 20-30 initial jobs and will help support over 500 local businesses while bolstering low carbon infrastructure capabilities as the country moves towards a green recovery.
“There are huge renewable resources offshore – both tidal and wind – which together present a compelling case to develop a hydrogen supply-chain on Anglesey through this project.”
Bill Ireland, CEO, Logan Energy
Chosen for its impressive track-record and expertise in delivering integrated hydrogen technologies, Edinburgh-based Logan Energy will be leading a consortium of local businesses and specialists to undertake the pre-works and development of the ‘hub and spoke’ facility on Holyhead.
Those involved include Olwg Ltd., Cadnant Planning, Stronachs LLP, and local Environmental Consultant, Patrick Bigham.
As an industry which contributes to around a quarter of global CO2 emissions, the energy-intensive haulage and heavy transport sector is in urgent need of efficient and scalable low carbon energy solutions if net zero targets are to be met by 2050.
The current fuel demands of heavy industry goods vehicles in the Holyhead region are large and an initial study has identified a supply rate of over 400kg/day can kick-start the Hub which could be established by 2023.
Logan Energy CEO Bill Ireland (pictured), says: “There are huge renewable resources offshore – both tidal and wind – which together present a compelling case to develop a hydrogen supply-chain on Anglesey through this project.”
As the second largest roll-on, roll-off port in the UK, Holyhead was identified as an ideal site for the Hub, hosting large HGV movements annually as well as potential demands at the port.
Providing an ideal launchpad for larger, scaled-up green hydrogen production, the site will help release the full potential of the region’s vast renewable energy resources.
Scale-up can extend to trains, public transport, and shipping, and will include diversification to other hydrogen markets such as heat, industry, power, and agriculture.
With a target operational date of 2023, this project will be the first to be developed in Wales under a Hub & Spoke model, which will see collaborations with complementary developments in other regions of Wales, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland.
Adds Bill Logan: “Kick-starting a local, sustainable hydrogen supply-chain under the control and majority ownership of a local entity is key to enabling local benefit and longer-term success, ensuring Holyhead and surrounding areas can pave the way for wide-scale low-carbon infrastructure in the region while developing a local workforce skilled in hydrogen technology.
“Such an ownership model will support the Welsh Government’s aim of increasing benefit from new energy generation and reaching its net zero targets by 2050.”
Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Mȏn said: “Wales is determined in its efforts to combat the effects of climate change and start building a sustainable future. For this, a robust low-carbon economy is crucial. Holyhead Hydrogen Hub represents a huge step forward in our plans to decarbonise the transport industry while supporting local jobs and business and by working collaboratively across north Wales.”
“The key advantage of this project is its scalability. While the plant aims to provide an initial fuel supply of 400kg per day, there is impressive potential to expand the hub to support additional heavy transport demands as well as the country’s public transport network services and emerging markets in heat and industry.”
The project has already gained a wide positive response from local employers such as Stena Line and major haulage companies such as Delivery Solutions and Gwynedd Shipping.
The Hub has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 1,700 tonnes per year, supporting carbon-intensive industries to adapt and thrive in a green economy.
