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ESB and Hynamics UK Sign Agreement to Develop Green Hydrogen Project at Port of Barry, Wales

22nd October 2024
ESB the majority-owned Irish State energy company and Hynamics UK have signed an agreement to develop a green hydrogen project at the Port of Barry in south Wales. This is to increase production of hydrogen supplies and decarbonise industrial operations around the Port in the Vale of Glamorgan. The port Afloat adds, is located on the Bristol Channel and is part of Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator.
ESB the majority-owned Irish State energy company and Hynamics UK have signed an agreement to develop a green hydrogen project at the Port of Barry in south Wales. This is to increase production of hydrogen supplies and decarbonise industrial operations around the Port in the Vale of Glamorgan. The port Afloat adds, is located on the Bristol Channel and is part of Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator. Credit: Associated British Ports-linkedin

Irish energy firm, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), and Hynamics UK have signed an agreement to develop a green hydrogen project at ABP's Port of Barry, Wales.

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of a green hydrogen production facility at the South Wales port, which Afloat adds is part of Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK's largest port operator.

This landmark collaboration aims to drive significant advancements in green hydrogen production and its application for decarbonising industrial processes.

The Barry Hydrogen Project will support the green hydrogen sector by producing and supplying green hydrogen for the decarbonisation of industrial operations around the Port of Barry. The strategic location, owned by Associated British Ports, has recently been designated as the site for the development of the Clean Growth Hub, aligning the collective vision of for sustainable growth and future across the Port of Barry.

A wider plan to develop a decarbonised clean growth hub.

Under the terms of the MoU, ESB and Hynamics UK will focus on formalising contractual agreements related to the co-development of the Barry Hydrogen Project by the end of 2024, with the intent to secure the necessary financing and development expertise for the projects development phase.

Hynamics brings valuable operating and development experience from its 1MW Auxerre project, commissioned in France in 2021, as well as from ongoing project developments across the UK. Established in 1927, and majority-owned by the Irish State, ESB has been active in the UK since the early 90s. ESB is developing several onshore and offshore renewable energy projects across the UK as part of its Net Zero by 2040 Strategy.

Aodhán McAleer, Hydrogen, Storage & Power to X Manager, ESB Generation & Trading: ESB has had a presence in the UK market for over thirty years, and we will continue to develop sustainable opportunities as we strive to reach net zero by 2040. We believe that Green Hydrogen will play a pivotal role in achieving net zero, and this MoU with Hynamics comes at an exciting time in the UK’s acceleration towards a decarbonised energy system.

Pierre de Raphélis-Soissan, CEO, Hynamics UK: We are thrilled to announce this partnership between ESB and Hynamics on our Hydrogen project in the Port of Barry. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in our commitment to decarbonize industry. Together, we will leverage our complementary strengths to drive impactful results and create sustainable value for our customers and communities in the Barry Port region.

Together, Hynamics and ESB are committed to leverage their combined expertise in advancing green hydrogen technology, enhancing sustainability, and supporting the global transition to cleaner energy sources. The Barry Hydrogen Project will positively impact the green hydrogen industry, paving the way for further hydrogen developments across the UK.

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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ESB’s 2040 strategy Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero by 2040 sets out a clear roadmap for ESB to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. 

ESB will develop and connect renewable energy to decarbonise the electricity system by 2040. ESB will invest in the development of new renewable generation, including onshore and offshore wind and solar, and will significantly increase the amount of renewable generation connected to our electricity networks.

ESB will:

  • Deliver more than a fivefold increase in our renewable generation portfolio to 5,000MW.
  • Reduce carbon intensity of generation fleet from 414 to 140gCO2/kWh by 2030.
  • Decarbonise 63% of our generation output by 2030 and 100% by 2040 (up from c20% now).

Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.