Hydrogen East Cluster is delighted to welcome ScottishPower, LRQA and Holkham Estate to its ranks to kick off 2024.
Ahead of the group’s next meeting on January 25th, the new additions not only show that the cluster is continuing to grow since its formal launch back in June 2023, but also showcase its ability to bring different parties together. The new members stretch across the whole of the hydrogen value chain, including utility players and technology businesses, as well as landowners and offtakers.
ScottishPower is a leader in clean power and was the first integrated energy company in the UK to generate 100% green electricity. It Is playing a leading role in delivering a clean, low carbon energy system for the UK, investing £12bn through to 2028 on renewables, smart grids and driving the change to a cleaner, electric future. Its green hydrogen business is developing plans for a 100MW large-scale green hydrogen hub at the Port of Felixstowe, alongside other projects to further support the decarbonisation of industrial and transport sectors.
Peter Jones, UK Director for ScottishPower’s green hydrogen business, said: “We’re at the forefront of creating a market to drive long term, sustainable solutions for hard-to-abate industries and help them achieve their own low carbon goals. The Hydrogen East cluster partnership is critical for connecting with businesses and stakeholders who are supporting the drive for sustainable green hydrogen solutions.”
LRQA is a leading global assurance provider, bringing together decades of unrivalled expertise in assessment, advisory, inspection and cybersecurity services – underpinned by data-driven insights – which it uses to help its clients navigate a new era of risk. Over the years, LRQA has established an extensive track record in renewables, supporting some of the world’s leading energy producers, manufacturers and operators throughout their transition to cleaner forms of energy, including hydrogen, nuclear, wind and solar.
Paul Karim, Regional Director – Inspection Services at LRQA, commented: “LRQA is proud to become a member of Hydrogen East Cluster. The cluster provides a great opportunity to connect with other organisations and join the conversation on key topics related to the hydrogen supply chain, and how we can all contribute to working towards the transition to cleaner energy.”
Holkham Estate has also joined the cluster. Up in North Norfolk, it is aiming to become the UK’s most pioneering and sustainable rural estate when it comes to how it manages its landscape, farmland, habitats and wildlife. It has a team of experts in conservation, farming, forestry and gamekeeping, all of which are working to ensure exemplary management of Holkham’s diverse habitats.
Steve Ross, Associate Director – Energy Systems at Opergy Group and Hydrogen East Cluster Manager, said: “Having businesses such as Holkham Estate, LRQA and ScottishPower join the cluster is a positive endorsement that the East of England has a significant role to play in the development of hydrogen and next generation fuels. Their involvement in the Hydrogen East Cluster will be invaluable in the years to come.”
