Logan Energy has secured a public tender contract with the Welsh social enterprise Menter Môn to support the delivery of a hydrogen production plant, refueling and distribution hub in Holyhead, North Wales.
The Holyhead Hydrogen Hub will be the first of its kind and will be funded by the Anglesey County Council and the Welsh Government Local Transport Fund. The hub aims to build 20-30 initial jobs and will help fund more than 500 local companies while improving low-carbon energy capability as the country progresses towards a green recovery.
Chosen for its outstanding track record and experience in delivering advanced hydrogen technology, Scotland-based Logan Energy will join a group of local companies and experts to conduct the pre-works and construction of the ‘Hub and Spoke’ facility in Holyhead. Those involved include Olwg, Cadnant Planning, Stronachs, and Patrick Bigham, the local environmental consultancy.
As an industry that contributes to about one quarter of global CO2 emissions, the energy-intensive haulage and the heavy transport sector desperately require efficient and flexible low-carbon energy technologies if the net zero goals are to be reached by 2050. The current fuel requirements for heavy-duty goods vehicles in the Holyhead area are high, and an initial study defined a supply rate of over 400 kg/day that could start the Center, which could be built by 2023.
Holyhead was established as the optimal location for the Hub, hosting big HGV movements annually as well as future port demands. Providing a perfect launch pad for broader, scaled-up green hydrogen development, the site would help to unleash the full potential of the region’s vast renewable energy resources.
With a target operational date of 2023, this project will be the first to be developed in Wales under a Hub & Spoke model, which will see collaborations with complementary developments in other regions of Wales, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland.
“There are huge renewable resources offshore – both tidal and wind – which together present a compelling case to develop a hydrogen supply-chain on Anglesey through this project.
“Kick-starting a local, sustainable hydrogen supply-chain under the control and majority ownership of a local entity is key to enabling local benefit and longer-term success, ensuring Holyhead and surrounding areas can pave the way for wide-scale low-carbon infrastructure in the region while developing a local workforce skilled in hydrogen technology. Such an ownership model will support the Welsh Government’s aim of increasing benefit from new energy generation and reaching its net zero targets by 2050.”
Bill Ireland CEO of Logan Energy.
“Wales is determined in its efforts to combat the effects of climate change and start building a sustainable future. For this, a robust low-carbon economy is crucial. Holyhead Hydrogen Hub represents a huge step forward in our plans to decarbonise the transport industry while supporting local jobs and business and by working collaboratively across north Wales.”
“The key advantage of this project is its scalability. While the plant aims to provide an initial fuel supply of 400kg per day, there is impressive potential to expand the hub to support additional heavy transport demands as well as the country’s public transport network services and emerging markets in heat and industry.”
Dafydd Gruffydd, managing director of Menter Mȏn.
The project has already gained a wide positive response from local employers such as Stena Line and major haulage companies such as Delivery Solutions and Gwynedd Shipping. The Hub has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 1,700 tonnes per year, supporting carbon-intensive industries to adapt and thrive in a green economy.
