Tees Green hydrogen project progresses to final shortlist for government fund
EDF Renewables UK and Hynamics, a 100% subsidiary of EDF Group specialising in hydrogen, have progressed to the final stages of the government’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) for their North East-based Tees Green Hydrogen project.
The Net Zero Hydrogen Fund is a £240 million programme overseen by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, aiming to support the commercial deployment of hydrogen production projects across the UK as part of the UK Government’s wider decarbonisation strategy.
Tees Green Hydrogen, is a pioneering proposal to produce green hydrogen using electrolysis, powered by electricity from EDF Renewables UK’s portfolio, combined with direct power from the proposed Tees Solar farm project, which EDF Renewables UK has submitted plans for near Redcar.
The project will supply green hydrogen to local industry and transport to support decarbonisation efforts and achieve a significant reduction in industrial pollution, securing its long-term sustainability.
Following a period of due diligence, EDF Renewables UK will now enter negotiations with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for its Phase 1 of the project. In its initial phase, the electrolyser will have a 7.5MW capacity. It is hoped that work could begin on site in 2024, with the facility operational by 2026. Future phases will seek to deliver up to 300MW in Teesside before 2030.
Tristan Zipfel, Director of Strategy and Analysis at EDF Renewables UK, said: “Today’s announcement is a further step towards realising EDF Renewables UK’s ambition to support the decarbonisation of industry on Teesside.
“The Tees Green Hydrogen project is truly pioneering in its use of locally produced green energy, from both wind and solar, to create green hydrogen for use in local industry.
“We are delighted that already, significant partners in the region are factoring green hydrogen into their long-term plans for decarbonisation and sustainable economic growth in Teesside.”
Pierre de Raphelis-Soissan, Business Development Director at Hynamics, said:
“Tees Green Hydrogen has the potential to make a ground breaking contribution to decarbonisation in the North East of England. The project is uniquely placed to be scalable in order that emerging needs can be met as hydrogen-based technology becomes the industrial norm.”
“The complementary skills sets of Hynamics and EDF Renewables UK shape the right partnership to deliver the success of the Tees Green Hydrogen project for the decarbonisation of the Tees Valley””
Following this announcement, EDF Renewables UK and Hynamics will be work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero during the next phase of the application process, with hopes of submitting a planning application in the coming months.