UK port to investigate the potential of green hydrogen

The parties recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for two green hydrogen projects which aim to unlock the potential of carbon savings for both port infrastructure and to fuel the green future of the Thames Freeport at Tilbury.

“This is an important opportunity to support the Port of Tilbury’s commitment to achieving Net Zero for our customers,” said Peter Ward, commercial director at the Port of Tilbury and Thames Freeport lead.

”As part of Thames Freeport, our MoU with RWE and Mitsui to develop a new hydrogen plant at the Port of Tilbury will help accelerate the UK’s path to a decarbonised economy and support our vision for low carbon logistics.”

Crucial role 

Hydrogen has a crucial role to play in helping the UK achieve its 2050 Net Zero ambitions and is an essential component for decarbonising different industrial sectors.

Through the MoU, the organisations will firstly create a small scale ‘proof of concept’ demonstrator project to produce green hydrogen for decarbonising items of port equipment by switching from fossil fuels to hydrogen.

The partnership will also conduct an initial study into a 10 megawatt green hydrogen plant.

The facility will be developed on Port of Tilbury land previously housing a coal-fired power station, transforming an area historically associated with fossil fuel power generation to green hydrogen production, at the heart of the Thames Freeport.

The project will also look at options to scale up development over a ten year period upwards of 100 megawatts. The hydrogen would be used for port infrastructure and operations in addition to providing green hydrogen to the surrounding industry.