Hydrogen facility will definitely open in Bradford

Funding to build the UK’s largest hydrogen production facility in Bradford has been confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen, a redevelopment of a former gas storage site, is the largest of 11 green hydrogen projects set to receive a share of £2bn from the government.

The Bradford project, which already has planning permission, is expected to create up to 125 new jobs for the city.

It will have the capacity to produce 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen each day, removing around 800 diesel buses from West Yorkshire’s roads on a daily basis.

The project is being delivered by joint venture partners N-Gen and Hygen, with support from Bradford Council.

Hydrogen production will secure the future of Bradford's Birkshall site which has a rich heritage stretching back almost 100 years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It was previously home to three large gas holders, with the site producing and storing gas for use by the city’s homes and businesses.

The hydrogen produced from the site will be used to support the decarbonisation of several sectors, including heavy transport such as HGVs and buses.

It can also be used as a replacement for natural gas in industrial processes.

Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “I’m pleased to see the Chancellor announcing this significant investment in Bradford.

"The Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen programme will play an important role in helping Bradford deliver on its climate change ambitions as well as bringing investment and green jobs to Bradford."

A joint statement from Gareth Mills, managing director at N-Gen Energy and Jamie Burns, director at Hygen Energy said: “We were thrilled to hear the Chancellor’s commitment to our Bradford project in this week’s budget and look forward to working with the Government as we deliver this hugely important scheme."

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