Earlier this week, ITM Power announced plans to supply electrolysers for three other big UK hydrogen projects. With installations already planned in Barrow-in-Furness, Trafford and Langage, this initiative will help strengthen the UK’s low-carbon hydrogen production capacity. The projects have recently been shortlisted for support from the UK Government’s Hydrogen Business Model. This government funding is a positive step towards the UK achieving its net-zero goals by the landmark 2030s.
ITM Power will be supplying a combined 55 megawatts (MW) of electrolysis capacity for the projects. More specifically, Barrow-in-Furness will get 30MW, Trafford will initially have 15MW and Langage will include 10MW of electrolysers. This deployment is the largest electrolyser installation currently planned in the UK and represents a major step forward for regional hydrogen infrastructure.
Project Locations and Capacities
The projects are strategically spread throughout the English regions, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Barrow-in-Furness, located in south Cumbria, is set to take the biggest slice of the electrolysers with 30MW allocated to its operations. Trafford’s project will become the cornerstone of the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park in Greater Manchester. This program is focused on all sectors of the economy and local government fleets. It sees itself as the hub from which the region will drive the transition to green hydrogen.
Langage, based near Plymouth, will initially produce green hydrogen for surrounding industrial plants. The project’s primary focus is on scalability. With demand set to boom further, we aim to expand into transport fuel and low-carbon heating alternatives. Set to start operations in 2027, Langage is likely to play an important role in providing green hydrogen to the region’s hydrogen ecosystem.
Impact on Regional Hydrogen Infrastructure
These electrolysers will support hydrogen infrastructure across the North West and Manchester city region. They’ll boost the South West’s hydrogen production and innovation potential. Combined, these projects will produce the backbone of a national, low-carbon hydrogen production network. This will help propel a sustainable energy transition for all industries and freight operators. Furthermore, they’ll demonstrate a template for future hydrogen clusters around the country.
Together supporting the UK’s ambitious net-zero aspirations, these projects are instrumental in accelerating low-carbon hydrogen production. Not only do they support government priorities, but they help drive innovation and investment in the development and deployment of advanced clean energy technologies. This backing from the Hydrogen Business Model shows just how serious the UK government is about enabling and accelerating the development of a green economy.