First Hydrogen Energy has identified four industrial sites in the UK for green hydrogen projects totalling up to 160MW and is advancing discussions with landowners to secure land rights.
The company is working with engineering consultants Ove Arup & Partners for the engineering studies and designs.
First Hydrogen said the sites are all in prime industrial areas spread strategically across the north and south of the country.
Each will accommodate both a large refuelling station for light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles with on-site hydrogen production, to serve the urban areas of Liverpool, Manchester, London, and the Thames Estuary, and a larger hydrogen production site of between 20 and 40MW, for a total for the four sites of between 80MW and 160MW.
The company said that it is anticipated that the target sites will qualify for UK government financial support for both the development and construction phases.
The production facilities, once built, will serve customers of First Hydrogen’s automotive division.
First Hydrogen’s green hydrogen van is to begin demonstrator testing in June with final delivery for road use in September 2022.
The company’s strategy is to secure a domestic supply of fixed-price long-term green hydrogen fuel and distribution arrangements, with such customers.
First Hydrogen Group chair Nicholas Wrigley (pictured) said: “It is becoming increasingly clear that customers of hydrogen light commercial vehicles will also need to ensure a reliable supply of green hydrogen for their businesses.
“We have made significant progress in identifying and securing the first four sites which First Hydrogen will be using for both hydrogen production and distribution, and which we would expect will form part of the government’s overall hydrogen strategy.”