Plans are afoot to create a world-first, landmark scheme that demonstrates the UK’s global leadership in hydrogen technology – and JCB heir Jo Bamford thinks it could be the most significant hydrogen project in the world.
Public and private sector leaders lodged a bid earlier this month to create a “freeport” in the North East of England centred around the Port of Felixstowe, Britain’s busiest container port, and Harwich International Port.
A freeport is a designated area where normal tax and customs rules don’t apply, meaning goods could be imported with simplified customs documentation and without paying tariffs.
If freeport status is secured, it would create a “strategic hub” linking UK importers and exporters with suppliers and customers around the globe.
The vision, dubbed Freeport East, also includes establishing a green hydrogen hub, the hydrogen produced from which would be used to power port equipment.
The hydrogen hub also has the potential to supply road, rail and maritime transport and would provide opportunities to expand hydrogen use in other freight operations.
And this is where Jo Bamford, Executive Chairman of Ryse Hydrogen, comes in. The UK-based hydrogen production and refuelling company will work in partnership with EDF Energy to develop an electrolyser at EDF’s nuclear power station in Sizewell, near the Port of Felixstowe and Harwich International.