Plans for the UK’s first floating hydrogen production facility are advancing in the Celtic Sea under the Milford Haven: Hydrogen Kingdom (MH:HK) project.
The initiative will demonstrate offshore hydrogen generation using a combination of wind power and electrolysis to produce renewable fuel.
MH:HK is being delivered by a consortium including Celtic Sea Power, Dolphyn Hydrogen, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and Wales & West Utilities.
The partners have progressed both the technical design and consenting pathway, bringing the project closer to construction at the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone – a 90km² test area off the south coast of Wales leased from the Crown Estate and managed by Celtic Sea Power as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine programme.
The demonstrator would initially deploy between 10MW and 15MW before scaling to more than 135MW, producing over 10,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually to support decarbonisation across industrial clusters and transport hubs in South Wales.
Brad Davies, survey and consents manager at Celtic Sea Power, said: “Milford Haven: Hydrogen Kingdom helps further lay the foundations for a large scale, low-carbon hydrogen economy in Wales. A key element of this pioneer project was to establish a consenting pathway that involved engagement with regulators and a wide range of stakeholders. CSP were delighted to play a role here to help strengthen the case for investment in South Wales’s clean energy future.”
The project supports UK Government hydrogen production targets and aligns with national initiatives including Project Union, HyLine Cymru, the Milford Haven Future Energy Cluster and Celtic Freeport.
By advancing Dolphyn Hydrogen technology, developing new consenting processes and exploring wave energy co-location within the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone, the partners aim to link offshore generation with onshore hydrogen distribution.
MH:HK is supported by Innovate UK under the Launchpad: Net Zero Industry South West Wales programme, with additional co-funding through the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Pembroke Dock Marine programme.