Carlton Power (owners of Langage Energy Park) have today been announced in the shortlist for the government’s Hydrogen Business Model/Net Zero Hydrogen Fund – this is exciting and encouraging news for the South West.
If successful in the contract award, due later this year, the Langage Green Hydrogen hub will be a key facility for the Freeport and will also help to deliver net zero goals for Freeport operations overall.
Richard May, CEO, PASD Freeport:
“The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport innovation hotbed could soon be running on gas! This is a significant step forward as our innovation partners in the South West develop clean mobility solutions using hydrogen and other energy sources. Langage’s electrolyser is another key component in our compelling Freeport offer to global green growth businesses.
“We look forward to welcoming key investors in both green, and blue, technology who will be able to support and develop global standards in our Freeport alongside the newly announced Maritime Regulatory Innovation Framework (MRIF) a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) sponsored national testing sandbox for forming new regulations for Marine Autonomy and Clean Propulsion systems in Plymouth waters.
“Congratulations to the team at Carlton Power for today’s announcement – this is the next crucial step in achieving the first hydrogen production hub of its kind for the South West.”
Full release issued by Carlton Power:
Carlton Power, one of the UK’s most experienced energy infrastructure development companies and the company who originated and developed the Langage gas-fired power station and the Langage solar farm (located eight miles east of Plymouth, Devon) has secured the UK Government’s support to build a green hydrogen hub on land within the Langage Energy Park. Langage Green Hydrogen is the only project in the South West of England that is backed by the Government and announced today.
Subject to agreement with Carlton Power, the Government will provide financial support to the project through its Hydrogen Business Model process, which aims to stimulate the growth of the hydrogen economy in the South West and across the UK.
Carlton’s 10MW hydrogen hub project at Langage is the first of its kind in Devon and Cornwall and will form part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport which secured Government backing in December 2022.
Langage will provide local companies – for example energy intensive industries or those with transport fleets – with easy access to hydrogen fuel. In addition, the hydrogen hub will support the further growth of renewable electricity generation in the South West (and newer forms like marine energy) by utilising it to produce and store hydrogen at times when renewable output is high, but electricity demand is low.
Langage has benefited from the support of a range of local organisations including South Hams District Council, Plymouth City Council, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Devon Chamber of Commerce and the South West Business Council. Sir Gary Streeter MP and other South West MPs also expressed support for the scheme.
Eric Adams, Carlton Power’s Hydrogen Projects Director said:
“We are delighted with today’s news. Our Langage project is a beacon project for the West Country’s green economy and it will play an important role in the development of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. Today’s decision will encourage industry and transport operators in the region to embrace the energy transition and Net Zero with confidence.
“We are hugely grateful for all the support that we have received to date from amongst local organisations who share an ambition to see a hydrogen economy take shape in the South West. Langage is just the beginning; it will be a catalyst for inward investment and the development of the green economy in the South West.”
Subject to final agreements with the Government and final investment decision for the project, Carlton Power is aiming to start construction at Langage before the end of the year and for it to enter commercial operation in 2025.
The Government’s shortlisted hydrogen projects: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hydrogen-production-business-model-net-zero-hydrogen-fund-shortlisted-projects/hydrogen-business-model-net-zero-hydrogen-fund-shortlisted-projects-allocation-round-2022
ENDS