The argument for a new UK green hydrogen hub

The Freeport East Green Hub report ‘Strategic analysis of the role of hydrogen in driving green corridors and transport decarbonisation at Freeport East’ argues how the port can facilitate the international partnerships and investment necessary for a green hydrogen hub.

“This latest report confirms our goal for Freeport East to act as a hub for transport decarbonisation, reducing emissions both on land and at sea,” said Steve Beel, chief executive of Freeport East.

”It highlights opportunities to build new partnerships that will support maritime decarbonisation on a global level, while also providing local economic and employment opportunities within the Freeport East area.”

Ambitious objectives

The port is currently exploring the potential of becoming a hydrogen hub with ScottishPower. The project aims to decarbonise the area in and around Felixstowe – the UK’s largest container terminal.

While the shipping sector is expected to grow by 30-70% by 2050, 60% of new vessel orders in 2022 were for multi-fuel vessels, demonstrating that the transition to clean fuels is already moving at pace.

By positioning Freeport East and the wider region into the rapidly growing clean fuels market, Hutchison Ports said it could support many hundreds of skilled jobs and bring significant economic benefits to the local area.

The findings build on research earlier this year that indicated a potential demand for 500MW of hydrogen by 2030 in the Freeport East area.

Both reports support the development of the Freeport East Green Hydrogen Hub – aiming to harness abundant local renewable energy to produce green hydrogen for future transport uses.

Research also shows that over 4000 vessels pass through Freeport East each year, which creates a potential need for over 180 tonnes of hydrogen per day for green maritime fuels, or 450MW of new electrolyser capacity

Also, investment in new local hydrogen refuelling infrastructure would help reduce carbon emissions from A14 traffic flows, benefiting communities in Freeport East, Cambridge and other parts of the UK.