Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen, due to be built at the old Birkshall gas storage site, is the largest of 11 green hydrogen projects set to receive a share of £2 billion, which the Government is spending to stimulate the production and demand for green hydrogen.
The Bradford project, which already has planning permission, is expected to generate £120m for the local economy and support the creation of up to 125 new jobs.
It will have the capacity to produce 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen each day, removing around 800 diesel-fuelled buses from West Yorkshire’s roads daily.
The project is being delivered by joint venture partners N-Gen and Hygen, with support from Bradford Council.
Hydrogen production secures the future of the Birkshall site which has a rich heritage stretching back almost 100 years.
It was previously home to three large gas holders with the site producing and storing gas for use by the city’s homes and businesses.
The site will comprise hydrogen production, storage, dispensing, and refuelling facilities, with the hydrogen generated through a process known as electrolysis which uses low-carbon electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen does not emit carbon when burned, meaning it can support the decarbonisation of several sectors including heavy transport such as HGVs and buses. It can also be used as a replacement for natural gas in industrial processes.
Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “I’m pleased to see the Chancellor announcing this significant investment in Bradford.
“The Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen programme will play an important role in helping Bradford deliver on its climate change ambitions as well as bringing investment and green jobs to Bradford.”
A joint statement from Gareth Mills, managing director at N-Gen Energy and Jamie Burns, director at HYGEN Energy said: “We were thrilled to hear The Chancellor’s commitment to our Bradford project in this week’s budget and look forward to working with the Government as we deliver this hugely important scheme.
“Our project, along with the other 10 receiving funding, will provide a boost to local economies and demonstrate the potential of hydrogen production at scale, as we look to move to locally produced, cleaner sources of energy and encourage more investment into the hydrogen industry”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This new investment will play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitions of a greener, more secure region, with higher paid jobs and lower energy bills for future generations.”