Green hydrogen drives Tilbury expansion

Backed by GB£2m in Thames Freeport seed funding, the project will establish a 1MW electrolysis-based facility powered by on-site solar, creating a local zero-emission fuel supply.

The initiative supports wider adoption of alternative fuels and positions Tilbury as a leading UK testbed for green hydrogen production in live industrial environments. 

“Forth Ports has a track record of delivering market-leading solutions across low-carbon logistics, sustainable construction and on-site power generation as we pursue our intentionally ambitious goal of becoming a net zero carbon emissions operation by 2042,” said David Webster, regional director – Tilbury, Forth Ports.

“We are excited to be working with the GeoPura team to deliver green hydrogen generation which represents another significant step on this journey.”

Multi-use production

The ten-year agreement, with an option to extend, will see hydrogen produced for use across port operations and the Thames Estuary, supporting logistics, heavy industry and infrastructure projects.

Tilbury’s facility underpins GeoPura’s contract to supply 25,000 tonnes of hydrogen to the Lower Thames Crossing, helping replace more than 12 million litres of diesel and enabling carbon-neutral construction ambitions.

For Forth Ports, the project aligns with its target of achieving net zero operations by 2042, addressing emissions from cargo handling equipment, HGVs and other non-road mobile machinery.

Tilbury’s high cargo throughput and diverse equipment base make it a strategic location for demonstrating scalable decarbonisation solutions.

Beyond emissions reduction, the scheme is expected to create skilled green jobs, strengthen the regional hydrogen supply chain and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.

As the UK advances towards 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen capacity by 2030, Tilbury offers a practical model for integrating green hydrogen production into port operations and accelerating uptake of alternative fuels.