The Welsh Government, in partnership with Transport for Wales, is looking for a provider of ‘green’ hydrogen that to provide fuel for buses to be operated in a pilot scheme in Swansea.
The pilot scheme will include 20 hydrogen buses on selected routes within the County of Swansea with the potential to include a further 30 hydrogen buses servicing selected routes within the County of Bridgend. The Welsh government wants the hydrogen to be available for a re-fueller at both pilot locations – Swansea and Bridgend.
The pilot scheme is due to begin in late 2025 or early 2026 for an initial three year period (with the potential to cover a five year period).
The pilot scheme is part of plans to transition the existing internal combustion engine bus fleet in Wales.
The region houses the University of South Wales’ Baglan hydrogen refuelling station, which has been refuelling Hyundai ix35 vehicles for the Mid and West Wales Fire Service since 2017, as well as the university developed ‘Tribid’ vehicle. The university’s Hydrogen Centre was opened in 2008. The Hydrogen Centre has partnered with approximately 100 commercial partners for work on R&D activities including: high pressure hydrogen component testing, renewable hydrogen and oxygen production from waste water treatment and stationary fuel cell hydrogen energy storage applications.