Hanson has revealed further details about switching its Welsh asphalt production plant to hydrogen-fuelled net zero to decarbonise operations.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero committed £6.1m to help support the project.
Hanson believes the trial could be up and running in early 2024.
The hub’s pilot project aims to use nuclear power-derived hydrogen from Heysham 2 Power Station in Lancashire to replace the mix of fossil fuels currently used in asphalt production at Criggion.
EDF, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), and Vulcan Burners have joined a consortium with Hanson to match the government’s funding commitment.
Chief executive officer Simon Willis said the company was excited about the potential of the project.
“Nuclear power-derived hydrogen has the potential to be a complete game-changer for decarbonising asphalt and cement production. Our involvement in the Bay Hydrogen Hub project underscores our commitment to lead the way by investing in cutting edge technologies to prove they can deliver in real-world situations and help us meet our net zero goals,” he said.
“We have already successfully shown that hydrogen can be used as part of a net zero fuel mix at our cement works in Ribblesdale, Lancashire, but its use as a fuel at an asphalt site has not yet been physically demonstrated anywhere in the world. It’s an exciting time and we are hopeful that the project will demonstrate another key step forward towards the decarbonisation of our industry.”
According to the release, the government and the industry will provide more than £15m. The funding will suppoort developing a final design, distribution and end use technology.