Port of Immingham looks set to host the first large scale green hydrogen production facility in the UK.
ABP and Air Products have announced their intention to partner on the huge project, that would see hundreds of millions of pounds invested, while supporting 1,400 jobs. The plan is for green ammonia to be imported as a feedstock from locations operated around the world by the US giant, decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as transport and industry - subject to policy and market conditions.
It is in addition to a major gas-based ‘blue’ hydrogen production proposal revealed last month between Air Products and VPI Immingham - Humber Hydrogen Hub - just off the port estate, and is forecast to bring a £3.8 billion economic boost to the region.
Read more: East Coast Cluster chief on latest carbon capture sequencing success
Henrik Pedersen, ABP’s chief executive, said: "ABP and the Humber are at the epicentre of the decarbonisation agenda and we are delighted to work with Air Products on this project, which will help deliver the UK’s legal obligation to be net zero by 2050.
"ABP’s ports are a vital part of the UK’s energy transition, and we are making significant investments to support a range of renewable energy generation projects."
ABP would invest in new infrastructure with the new jetty to handle the import and export of liquid bulk products. In addition to the green ammonia, the jetty is being designed so that it can accommodate other cargoes connected to the energy transition, including the import of liquified carbon dioxide from capture and storage projects. This would feed into plans for sequestration beneath the North Sea - realising plans for the port to play an elevated role in the UK’s race to Net Zero. The team involved suggest it will eliminate up to 580,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, the equivalent of taking 20,000 HGVs off UK roads, as well as reducing nitrous oxide and particulate emissions.
Given a working title of Immingham Green Energy Terminal, the location is described as providing the required maritime infrastructure, while offering good proximity to markets and the required utilities. The jetty is proposed for the far east of the port, outside of the existing oil terminal and proposed new Stena Line roll-on roll-off ferry terminal. The bulk of the facility is set to be on land owned by ABP outside of the port's East Gate, where Kings Road meets Queens Road opposite the Knauf UK site, bordering the municipal landfill site behind Stallingborough Industrial Estate.
In a joint statement, the companies said: “This first-mover project stimulates demand and will support the development of a local and national green hydrogen market. It will be an important contributor to the Government’s plans to make the UK a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen.”
Ivo Bols, Air Products’ president for Europe and Africa, said: “Globally Air Products supports the energy transition by developing real, first-mover projects. We are forging sustainable hydrogen supply chains with our partners and using our hydrogen knowledge and expertise to accelerate the energy transition.
“We are in positive talks with government ministers and officials about our plans to invest in UK green hydrogen. To enable our investment decision, we are seeking some policy assurances that a viable market will exist for our product.”
Westminster has announced a 10GW target for low-carbon hydrogen to be in production or construction by 2030.
The link up between Britain’s largest port operator and the NYSE-listed £8-billion turnover industrial gases specialist joins blue hydrogen plans from Uniper and Shell at neighbouring North Killingholme for 720MW, with potential for green hydrogen too, and the Gigastack green hydrogen project that could also sit metres away from the Rosper Road port entrance, while Equinor has also proposed a second Humber site in addition to the initial Saltend plans - also understood to be on the South Bank.
Read next:
Humber carbon capture projects progress as FOUR shortlisted for further phase
Opinion: How Britain’s industrial heartlands can forge a greener future
High growth green tech specialist launches training academy to provide tomorrow's talent
Two of the eight shortlisted sites for Rolls-Royce nuclear reactor manufacturing are in Grimsby area
All your Humber business news in one place - bookmark it now
