Associated British Ports and EDF’s Hynamics subsidiary have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver a feasibility study that will look at ways to use low-carbon hydrogen to decarbonise industrial processes at the Port of Barry in Wales.
Hynamics addresses industrial sites in fields such as metallurgy, refinery or glass-making that use hydrogen continuously in their processes. In these industries Hynamics installs an electrolyser powered by nuclear and/or renewable energy on site to meet the site needs.
At Barry the companies will explore opportunities to use low-carbon hydrogen in industry and in other sectors such as port operations and transport.
The partnership is said to be the first part of a wider plan to develop a decarbonised growth hub at the Port of Barry.
Commenting on the announcement, Ralph Windeatt, Head of Business Development at ABP said:
“ABP has exciting plans for the Port of Barry to become a Clean Growth Hub for low-carbon manufacturing. This forms part of the company’s wider Ready for Tomorrow sustainability strategy where we are not only working on our own decarbonisation transition but increasingly play a crucial role in the decarbonisation of other industries such energy, industry and transport.
“Hydrogen will be a critical resource to support Wales and the UK’s journey to net zero. This is a significant development to drive low-carbon infrastructure at the Port of Barry.
“A successful study will also research a roadmap for future expansion of large-scale, low-carbon hydrogen deployment at the port. It will also explore opportunities for flexible low-carbon hydrogen supply direct to local industry, while providing refuelling capability for municipal and local transport. Working with our external partners at SWIC, Welsh Government and the Vale of Glamorgan, we intend to attract new industry to the Clean Growth Hub to drive investment and job creation for the region.”
ABP operates five Ports in South Wales: Barry, Cardiff, Port Talbot, Newport and Swansea.