Wrightbus plays part in hydrogen mega-project
Wrigthbus is among companies that have joined forces in what has been described as a hydrogen mega-project.
Project HySpeed is hoped to inject £6.5bn of private capital into the economy and create 24,300 jobs. As well as Wrightbus, it includes Centrica, Heidelberg, ITM Power, JCB, Johnson Matthey and National Gas. Its aim is to scale hydrogen production, cut costs and strengthen the UK’s renewable energy leadership.
The project will aim to build a robust hydrogen ecosystem. Strategically located hydrogen production hubs are envisioned to support local ecosystems and inject hydrogen into the gas grid.
Coupled with aggregated procurement of equipment and services, optimised power purchasing and low-cost-financing, HySpeed is hoped to help reduce the cost of green hydrogen and embed manufacturing jobs for generations.
Coupled with aggregated procurement of equipment and services, optimised power purchasing and low-cost-financing, HySpeed intends to help reduce the cost of green hydrogen.
HySpeed was unveiled in the same week as the Government’s HAR2 funding announcement, which shortlisted 27 electrolytic projects across the UK designed to deliver a thriving low carbon hydrogen economy.
It also follows comments from Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, who referenced the importance of Britain taking a technology leadership role in hydrogen during a visit to Wrightbus.
“Hydrogen offers us the opportunity to be energy secure and energy independent” – Wrightbus owner, Jo Bamford
Green entrepreneur and Wrightbus owner, Jo Bamford, Executive Chairman at the HydraB Power group which put forward the proposal, said HySpeed was a compelling answer to the Government’s call for support. He said: “Now more than ever the UK needs to stand on its own two feet, especially when it comes to our energy resources. Hydrogen offers us the opportunity to be energy secure and energy independent.
“Our conversations with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) have been hugely encouraging and we know the Government is keen to support clean energy projects of this size.”