Plans for a 200MW green hydrogen facility in Manchester, which would supply transport and industry received planning permission from Trafford Council.
The Trafford Green Hydrogen Project, valued at £300 million, will be located at the Low Carbon Energy Park operated by Carlton Power and is claimed to be the largest consented green hydrogen project in the UK. The construction and operation phase depends on securing financial backing from the government-led Hydrogen Investment Package, a multi-million project focusing on encouraging the development of the hydrogen economy nationwide.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, explains that the development of the Trafford Green Hydrogen project, as part of the Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park, will motivate industry and transport operators in the Greater Manchester area, enhancing their plans to utilise green hydrogen and reach their net zero carbon targets. Burnham explains that it also provides a critical stimulus to develop jobs in Greater Manchester and further investment in renewables, which over time will provide a greater level of energy security. Burnham is delighted that Great Manchester is a leader in delivering a prosperous hydrogen economy and is urging the UK government to support this pioneering plan.
Carlton Power is progressing with the project with support and participation from a local consortium, consisting of Manchester Metropolitan University, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Trafford Council, Cadent Gas and Electricity North West.
Eric Adams, hydrogen projects director at Carlton, explains that Trafford Green Hydrogen is ideally situated to provide local industry and transport operators with a low-carbon hydrogen resource. It will also generate investment in regional energy infrastructure and accelerate the energy transition. There are obvious economic and environmental benefits.
Partnering with local partners, the current focus of Carlton is securing the UK government’s support for this project and planned green hydrogen projects at Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria and Langage in the South West UK.
The planned hydrogen facilities will produce and store hydrogen at scale and help integrate renewables on a regional scale via storing solar and wind energy.