Transport orientated Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub boosted by £20 million competition

Tees Valley will host a new £20 million competition in which successful bidders will “push the boundaries” of hydrogen to see how it can be used to create a cleaner and more efficient transport sector.

As part of the competition, run by Innovate UK, businesses and research groups will collaborate to discover how hydrogen can be used as a reliable fuel source.

The competition will address challenges such as refuelling on a large scale, ensuring buses and coaches can use hydrogen in public transport ecosystems and how to make the supply chain greener with hydrogen-fuelled HGVs.

As the technologies develop, the research from this competition will help bring about the large-scale production of low-carbon hydrogen, which could also reduce the nation’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The DfT announcement also commits an additional £300,000 to support upskilling the local workforce and foster a specialised skills base and pipeline of talent, further cementing Tees Valley’s ambition as the “home of hydrogen”.

Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said, “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges this generation faces, and with transport contributing 24% to the UK’s CO2 levels, we are working hard to change things now and for the future.

“Tees Valley continues to be the beacon for hydrogen technologies and will be further supported by £20 million going to the best and the brightest ideas that will create a world-leading industry with more skilled jobs in the heart of the north of England.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said, “With ever-increasing global energy prices, a looming net zero deadline but a real chance to grab the emerging opportunity with both hands, now more than ever, we must be looking to the cleaner, safer and healthier industries of the future, such as hydrogen.

“The first phase of our Hydrogen Transport Hub pilot, at sites including Teesside Airport, has already proved a great success, showing how these vehicles can be used safely, effectively and cleanly in a whole range of ways.

Innovate UK CEO Indro Mukerjee said, “Hydrogen innovation will play a key part in the UK’s net zero ambitions and Innovate UK is ready to work with the most innovative businesses in this field.

“We are pleased to partner with the Department for Transport and Tees Valley to help deliver a cleaner, greener future economy for the region and the UK. This funding will further bolster an area that has seen renewed private investment in the last few years.”