ESB and Shannon Airport Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a hydrogen project in vicinity of the airport on Ireland’s west coast.
The project aims to explore the development of a sustainable green hydrogen plant at Shannon to demonstrate the use of hydrogen in aviation, heavy goods transport and industry, and as a “lighthouse model” for the net zero integrated energy system of the future.
The project will also demonstrate the potential of the resource in the Shannon Estuary as part of ESB’s Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint project.
Part of that plan is to develop a green hydrogen production, storage and generation facility at the County Clare site towards the end of the decade.
Speaking at the Hydrogen Ireland Conference in Dublin, Shannon Airport Group CEO Mary Considine, said: “Innovation has always been at the heart of our business and this partnership with ESB to explore the potential for a hydrogen testbed in Shannon, aligns with our Sustainability Strategy goal to invest in smart and innovative infrastructure.
“Decarbonising the transport industry is vital, and hydrogen will likely play a key role in the harder to decarbonise sectors such as heavy goods transport and aviation.
“We are delighted to be working with ESB on this very important initiative and to be an enabler for the development of a hydrogen ecosystem in the Shannon Estuary region.”
This project includes hydrogen refuelling and battery electric vehicle charging in a single location, aligning with the EU’s ambition to have a hydrogen refuelling station every 100 km along both the core and comprehensive Trans-European Transport Network by 2028.
It would also offer the potential for use in the testing and development of SAFs and for use in local industry.
Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Generation and Trading at ESB, said: “We are proud to collaborate with The Shannon Airport Group on this hydrogen lighthouse project, marking another milestone in our hydrogen exploration plans and commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040.
“Collaborations such as this with the Shannon Airport Group are critical as we work together to identify opportunities and solutions for the use of green hydrogen in providing a pathway for the decarbonisation of heavy transport, industry, and aviation.”