The Government is supporting plans for a hydrogen hub in Barrow.
The first of its kind in Cumbria, it will supply hydrogen to Kimberly-Clark’s manufacturing facility.
Over the past 12 months, Carlton Power and Kimberly-Clark have worked together on the scheme.
Subject to final agreements 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.
It is hoped the hub, on land next to Kimberly-Clark’s facility on Park Road, will begin operation in 2025 and will help reduce Kimberly-Clark’s reliance on natural gas as part of its global decarbonisation strategy.
Around 200 people will be employed during the construction phase and 10 new jobs will be created when it opens.
The Barrow Green Hydrogen scheme was announced last year and has benefited from the support given by a regional public/private sector consortium of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Barrow Borough Council, Cadent Gas and Electricity North West, as well as the support of Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell and other Cumbrian MPs.
This project will initially feature a 30 megawatt electrolyser, expected to produce about 3,000 tonnes of hydrogen every year, which is enough zero-carbon energy to supply the equivalent of 10,000 homes.
Eric Adams, Carlton Power’s hydrogen projects director, said: “We are delighted by this news. Having the support and commitment of Kimberly-Clark was crucial to our success and we look forward to working with their team to build and operate the scheme. We are also hugely grateful for the support given to the project by Simon Fell MP, neighbouring MPs and local business organisations.
“Everyone could see that Barrow Green Hydrogen would be a catalyst for inward investment and the development of the hydrogen economy in Cumbria. The decision will encourage industry and transport operators in the area to embrace the energy transition and Net Zero with confidence.”
Oriol Margo, sustainability Transformation Leader for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Kimberly-Clark, said: “This is a significant milestone for decarbonising our operations as we aim to deliver on our ambition of 100 per cent renewable energy in the UK and Ireland by 2030.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Carlton as we move onto the next stage of the project.”
