A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed for HyNet to supply 1,500 tonnes of hydrogen a year to Ryze.
This hydrogen will be used to power world-leading hydrogen buses produced in the UK by Wrightbus, which is also owned by Mr Bamford, while the rest will be supplied to various industries across the area.
HyNet brings together the innovative technology and infrastructure needed to drive towards a net zero future. As part of this, the project will deliver the technology to capture and store carbon emissions (CCS), in addition to low carbon hydrogen production.
The HyNet low carbon cluster is being developed by a world-class consortium of regionally located partners, Progressive Energy, Cadent, CF Fertilisers, Eni UK, Essar, Hanson, INOVYN (part of the INEOS Group) and the University of Chester.
“Hydrogen has a major part to play in the decarbonisation of the UK, and thanks to this deal with HyNet, Ryze Hydrogen and Wrightbus continue to be at the forefront of the movement,” said Mr Bamford.
“Since Wrightbus launched the world’s first hydrogen double-deck bus in 2020, we’ve seen a growing momentum behind their introduction, with fleets now in operation in Aberdeen, Birmingham, London, Belfast and Dublin. We hope to soon expand into other areas of the UK, including the Northwest. There also continues to be a growing interest in hydrogen not only for buses, but to help with the decarbonisation of many other sectors, including heavy goods vehicles and commercial and domestic heating.
Stimulating the green economy
“That’s why it’s vital to have innovative projects like HyNet, creating green jobs, stimulating the green economy and ensuring the UK is able to produce enough hydrogen to meet a growing demand, and why as a distributor, Ryze will play a crucial part in unlocking use of the fuel for the transport sector.”
Mr Bamford added that his own green hydrogen production firm, HyGen Energy, was also looking to accelerate its work.
“As a hydrogen producer, HyGen has several sites lined up where we’re looking to begin production soon. We wholeheartedly believe that a significant increase in hydrogen production is needed if the UK is to achieve its net zero targets,” he added.
HyNet will begin to decarbonise the Northwest from 2025. By 2030, it will be capable of removing up to 10 million tonnes of carbon from across Northwest England and Northeast Wales each year – the equivalent of taking four million cars off the road annually.
David Parkin, project director of HyNet said: “HyNet will be ready to start producing low carbon hydrogen from the UK’s first hydrogen production plant by the mid-2020ss. We have a huge level of demand for HyNet hydrogen from across the Northwest and North Wales from a range of sectors stretching from glass to food and drink to FMCGs.”