GeoPura and Forth Ports have signed a landmark agreement to produce green hydrogen on site at the Port of Tilbury starting this year. This plant will support the decarbonisation of one of the UK’s most important logistics hubs and position Tilbury among the first major British ports to host commercial-scale hydrogen production for heavy industrial use.
Enabled by £2m of Thames Freeport seed capital, the project will support the decarbonisation of port operations and establish Tilbury as a testbed for low-carbon fuel use in heavy industry.
This project demonstrates how Thames Freeport is using targeted public investment to support innovation in live operational environments, helping businesses adopt new technologies and accelerate decarbonisation across logistics and industrial activity.
Under a 10-year agreement, with an option to extend, GeoPura is developing an initial 1MW low carbon hydrogen production plant at Tilbury. The facility will generate hydrogen via electrolysis which is planned to be powered by on-site solar panels, creating a secure, locally produced supply of zero emission fuel for port operations and the wider Thames Estuary. This will also bring significant investment and skilled green jobs, supporting the skills transition and long-term capability in hydrogen production to the area.
The UK Government has a goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Transportation accounts for over a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions, including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and non-road mobile machinery. As a major port operator, Forth Ports is looking for new and innovative sustainable solutions to ensure effective energy transition as it works towards its goal to become net zero by 2042.
Tilbury handles millions of tonnes of cargo each year. The diverse operations utilise an array of plant and equipment, including reach stackers, forklifts and HGV tractor units to keep goods moving. Decarbonising these operations presents an opportunity, not only to reduce carbon emissions, but also to improve local air quality and protect worker health.
David Webster, Regional Director –Tilbury, commented:
“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. We are excited to be working with the GeoPura team to deliver green hydrogen generation which represents another significant step on this journey.”
(Picture: GeoPura)
