One of the two Northern Ireland-based businesses to get money under the new, £240 million UK government green energy programme is MANNOK. The cash will support the first stage of the scheme, which is the on-site production of green hydrogen.
Since the company strives to achieve net zero by 2050, the financing will assist Mannok in the first stage of its ambitious and creative energy-transformation programme, which will see them achieve complete energy independence sourced solely from renewable sources.
The cash will support the first stage of the scheme, which is the on-site production of green hydrogen (H2), a cleaner, zero-emission fuel made from renewable energy, to replace the usage of diesel in more than 70% of the fleet of 150 heavy-goods trucks owned by the company.
After depending for many years on expensive imported foreign fossil fuels, the UK Government established the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) to bring about a “radical change in the energy system” towards cleaner, more affordable energy sources to power more of the UK from the UK.
As one of Northern Ireland’s successful NZHF projects, Mannok plans to develop a project that would generate local green hydrogen using a direct wire connection from nearby wind assets and a 5MW electrolyser. Hydrogen will be crucial in assisting intensive sectors’ transition to using clean energy.
‘We are very pleased our application has been successful and that we will receive support to produce cleaner energy on-site to fuel our fleet and possibly our cement manufacturing business,’ Mannok’s operations director Kevin Lunney said in response to the company’s success in this competitive application process and the positive impact the generation of green hydrogen will have on its larger energy transformation programme.
“The application process is incredibly competitive, and our sustainability program’s early success shows the value of our initiatives and approach. The numerous and extensive sustainability activities outlined in our sustainability strategy, the Mannok 2030 Vision, are supported by our energy transformation programme, the Mannok Energy Valley.
“Mannok Energy Valley is a 15-year, multi-phase programme for the reform of the energy sector, with each phase enhancing the others.” As we work to achieve genuine energy independence and support the country’s net-zero target, it will shut our energy loop and allow us to establish a circular energy economy.
The first significant step for the Mannok Energy Valley is the production of green hydrogen, which has the potential to reduce our annual diesel consumption by 4 million litres and support our cement manufacturing process with oxygen, a byproduct of hydrogen production.
Also, through the HyLIGHT programme, “we are closely collaborating with broader business and academics to facilitate a green hydrogen transition.”
The company held a cross-border council forum with its three local councils, Cavan County Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, and Leitrim County Council, as well as Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, on the same day that the Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announced Mannok were a successful applicant in the NZHF.
Mannok presented their Energy Valley proposal at the meeting, outlining the real advantages a decarbonized economy will have for the area, including a reliable source of jobs, clean energy, and long-term economic growth.
The Mannok Energy Valley is a fantastic idea, said Eugene Heaney, manager of green economy company development at Invest Northern Ireland, at the conference. Considering how ambitious Mannok’s Energy Valley and 2030 Vision are, I believe it would be wonderful to see them develop. I would like to see the idea advance over the next few years with the help of councils, Invest NI, and other collaborations.
The company is working with many technology providers, including experts in the renewable energy sector as well as top research institutions, governing bodies, and international equipment providers, to deliver the Mannok Energy Valley, which includes the use of carbon capture technology, the generation of oxygen and green hydrogen, and the production of e-fuels.
According to Mannok, bringing the idea to life will ensure that the company is truly sustainable for current and future generations.
