A MAJOR green energy hub in Barrow is due to be in operation by 2025.

The town will be among the first locations to site a hydrogen hub, which will supply energy to the area.

The announcement comes as two companies plan to work together to construct hydrogen hubs across the country.

Carlton Power, the UK independent energy infrastructure development company, and Schroders Greencoat LLP, an investment manager dedicated to the renewable energy infrastructure sector, have formed a new joint venture company called Green Hydrogen Energy Company Ltd in a bid to accelerate the development of green hydrogen projects.

The first projects are intended to be Trafford in Greater Manchester, Barrow and Langage, near Plymouth. 

In March 2023, these three schemes were shortlisted by the UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to receive financial support from the Government’s Hydrogen Business Model/Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.

The Trafford, Barrow and Langage projects are planned to enter commercial operation in 2025.

Each project will supply green hydrogen to local industrial and manufacturing companies wishing to decarbonise their operations and all will have the potential to supply hydrogen to other businesses in the area, in addition to local transport operators, the company says.

The Barrow hub is due to be built next to the Kimberly-Clark site and could bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

In the GHECO joint venture company, Carlton Power will manage the development, construction and operation of current and future green hydrogen projects with Schroders Greencoat leading on the financing of the projects.

Keith Clarke, founder and chief executive of Carlton Power, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Schroders Greencoat to develop a significant green hydrogen portfolio in the UK. 

"The decision by Schroders Greencoat, one of the foremost investors in renewable energy in UK and Europe, underlines the strength and quality of Carlton’s projects and our team, as well as confidence in our local development strategy and our decision to work with blue-chip industry off-takers, such as Kimberly-Clark. 

"We want GHECO to be the leading green hydrogen production company in the UK.”

James Samworth, partner and co-head of Schroders Greencoat's Energy Transition team, said: “We are aiming for GHECO to become one the UK’s most ambitious hydrogen investment platforms. 

"As one of the leading renewables investors in the UK, we have been long-time front-runners in the deployment, management, and optimisation of the country’s renewable infrastructure — it made perfect sense for us to partner with Carlton, one of the country’s leading developers. 

"Hydrogen is a huge opportunity and will play a centrally important part in the energy transition. This partnership provides the perfect platform for us to enter the space, accelerate the development of green hydrogen projects here in the UK, and provide investors with access to this growing industry.”