The first low-carbon hydrogen fuel hub in Greater Manchester and the largest of its kind in the UK has been given planning permission. Trafford council has approved Carlton Power's £300million scheme at Manchester Road in Carrington.
Ultimately, it will have the capacity to generate 200 mega watts (MW) of energy. The project, first put forward in March 2021, is the UK's largest green hydrogen scheme to have received planning consent.
Carlton says Trafford Green Hydrogen will be a catalyst for more low carbon generation and greater energy security in the North West, and will boost investment in new energy infrastructure and job creation in the area. It will enable the energy to be used to power heavy goods vehicles and buses as well as energy for industry and other transport operators.
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The first phase of the scheme (at 15-20MW capacity) is likely to create around 200 construction jobs over a two-year period and create up to 10 full-time operational jobs with future phases to be constructed in response to the demand for hydrogen in the region. The scheme’s construction and operation is dependent on receiving financial support from the Government’s Hydrogen Investment Package, a multi-million pound programme to encourage the growth of the hydrogen economy across the UK.
Responding to the announcement, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “The development will be a spur for industry and transport operators in the Greater Manchester region to accelerate their plans to use green hydrogen and achieve their net zero carbon targets.
"It also provides an important stimulus to job creation in Greater Manchester and further investment in renewable energy generation which will, in time, provide greater energy security. I’m delighted that Greater Manchester is in the vanguard of creating a vibrant hydrogen economy in this country, and I urge the UK Government to support this pioneering scheme.”
Carlton Power is undertaking the projection with a local consortium, comprising Manchester Metropolitan University, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Trafford council, Cadent Gas and Electricity North West.
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