In support of the UK’s net zero agenda and following the success of an £8 million Government funded Hydrogen Transport Hub Demonstration, Teesside Airport is to become home to a permanent hydrogen refuelling station for ground vehicles.
As part of the region’s Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub trial in 2021, the airport has already been home to a temporary refuelling station and secured low-emission hydrogen fuelled ground support vehicles.
Element 2, which established the previous station at the airport, will set up another temporary refuelling station during 2024 before a permanent station will be installed in late 2024 to early 2025. The station will be used by those low-emission vehicles currently located at the airport and will also provide fuel for hydrogen vehicles being trialled by local commercial fleets and authorities. IVe, which is delivering the next generation of sustainable light goods vehicles will also be trialling hydrogen vans at the site.
A second project, ULEMCo, which also received a share of the government funding will develop hydrogen powered airport ground-based support vehicles, such as tow trucks and runway sweepers.
“We were one of the first areas to trial hydrogen fuels and this is continuing to pay off as we’ve bene successful in securing this permanent refuelling station,” said Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.
“Our airport and, indeed, our whole region continues to be at the forefront of the UK’s net zero ambitions and this hydrogen station is another step forward to supporting the cleaner, healthier and safer industries of tomorrow. It backs up everything we’re doing in our low-carbon journey, including supporting the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),” he continued.
He also cited that the aim to have Teesside Airport operationally net zero by 2030 is just the beginning. The region is to continue pioneering offshore, carbon capture and renewable technologies to establish it as the place to business in innovative and clean technologies.
Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside Airport added that making Teesside an airport people can be proud of isn’t just about flying them to their destinations, it’s also about acting responsibly.
“This hydrogen refuelling station does just, by proving this new technology is safe and reliable, and can be used across all sorts of applications. This makes it clear Teesside is helping to pioneer both the aviation industry and the clean energy sector.”
He was joined by Tim Harper, CEO of Element 2, who said the project is a “fantastic opportunity to show how hydrogen can play a major role in the decarbonisation of road transport and airport operations.”
