2 min read - 24 Jul, 2025
Plans move forward for Bradford hydrogen production facility
A government contract for a new hydrogen production facility in Bradford has been signed by project partners N-Gen Energy Solutions and Hygen Energy.
The Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement provides the scheme with government subsidies to enable the hydrogen produced to be sold at a rate which is comparable to fossil fuels, such as diesel, for 15 years. The Bradford low carbon hydrogen project is the largest of 11 schemes in the government’s first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1), which provides a total of £2bn in funding to stimulate hydrogen production.
The flagship low carbon hydrogen production facility and fuelling station, to be built off Bowling Back Lane in Bradford, will provide the region’s businesses and heavy vehicle operators with access to hydrogen from 2027. The facility will produce up to 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen per day, enough to power 800 buses. Up to 125 jobs are also set to be created.
A computer-generated image of how the new site could look / Picture: Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen Scheme
Hydrogen production secures the future of the Birkshall site, located off Bowling Back Lane, which has a rich heritage stretching back almost 100 years. It was previously home to three large gas holders, where the site produced and stored gas for use by Bradford’s homes and businesses.
The site will comprise hydrogen production, storage and refuelling, with the hydrogen produced through a process known as electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
In a joint statement, Gareth Mills, managing director at N-Gen Energy and Kevin Selleslags, Hygen chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to reach the milestone of signing the low carbon hydrogen agreement, which takes us a step closer to offering the region’s businesses and heavy transport the opportunity to decarbonise with cleaner, locally produced hydrogen at a competitive price. We’re excited to move to the next phase of building this trailblazing facility.”
Sarah Jones, minister for industry, added: “This government is rolling out hydrogen at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon.”
Bradford Council supports the project and believes, as West Yorkshire’s only planned hydrogen production plant, it will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: “We’re really pleased to see the private sector working with the government to bring new industry to Bradford. I’m delighted that the contract has now been signed. The scheme will help us bring investment and green jobs to Bradford as well as delivering on our climate change ambitions.”
Hydrogen is a multi-purpose fuel which does not produce carbon when burned, making it compatible with plans for decarbonisation. It can be used as a replacement for natural gas in heating and industrial processes, as well as for replacing diesel in heavy goods vehicles, including buses, trains and lorries.
