The Hydrogen East Cluster has, for the past two years, built a reputation of driving and supporting the development of hydrogen and next generation fuels in the East of England and is now set to expand its reach even further.
Ran as a not-for-profit organisation, the cluster already has an Industry Advisory Group that includes participants such as ScottishPower, Cadent, Heidelburg, Conrad Energy, and Turner & Townsend, among other leading voices in the sector.
There has, however, been wider interest from businesses and organisations in the region to become part of the cluster, with this demand driving the development of an Associate Group, as Hydrogen East Chair, Anne Hasse, explains: “The cluster has grown exceptionally quickly across the region and the UK, and our strategy has always been to ensure that we are an inclusive group. The introduction of the Associates will enable us to grow and support the supply chain and help businesses taking those first steps into the hydrogen economy.”
Jack Raven from Sizewell – an early Associate subscriber – said: “Sizewell C is already set to be one of the biggest Net Zero projects in the UK, so linking it to other low-carbon technologies can bring even more flexibility and value to the energy system. Our plans will support the local economy and stimulate a low-carbon hydrogen and direct air capture market in the East of England. Through the Hydrogen East Cluster, we hope to help aggregate local demand and stimulate local hydrogen activity. The Cluster will be bring us closer to organisations looking to achieve the same. We are exploring how we can produce and use hydrogen in several ways, including in hydrogen powered bus pilot scheme which, if successful, could see thousands of workers transported to and from site on hydrogen powered double decker buses.”
The Associates Group costs a yearly subscription of £500, for which businesses can then benefit from:
- Regular updates and information on planned developments across the East of England and wider UK
- Opportunities to participate in consortia as and where their skills are a fit
- Access to key events, including Hydrogen Week, to promote their capabilities and innovations, as well as networking opportunities
- Understanding and access to funding opportunities for innovation and product development
- Access to other clusters across the UK working in hydrogen and decarbonisation
To participate in, or understand more about the Associates Group and the Hydrogen East Cluster, please contact Steve Ross (steve.ross@opergy.co.uk).
The Hydrogen East Cluster is managed as a not-for-profit secretariat by Opergy and covers the East of England from South Lincolnshire, through Cambridgeshire, East Anglia, Essex and Kent.
