Bridgend has been selected to take part in a hydrogen energy “demonstrator project” (pdf).
The Welsh Government was approached in 2021 by the Japanese corporation, Marubeni, with a view to launching demonstrator projects in the UK for hydrogen power.
Marubeni also considered Sheffield and Aberdeen but opted for Bridgend based on the council’s decarbonisation plans. The council will now start talks on a memorandum of understanding with Marubeni detailing the governance and contractual arrangements.
£26million worth of external investment is mentioned in the report, with £13million coming from Marubeni and £13million from the Japanese Government’s New Energy Development Organisation (NEDO).
The Cardiff Capital Region is also considering an investment, while some match-funding may be expected from BCBC and/or the Welsh Government.
One of the key aims of the project will be to provide hydrogen fuel for the public sector vehicle fleet – so there’s the potential for involvement from South Wales Police and the Wales Ambulance Trust.
Nothing is set in stone and many issues need ironing out, but officers believe that the proposed project means Bridgend would “have the opportunity to demonstrate its leadership regionally in this green technology advancement.”
