Green Hydrogen Takes Root in Bradford with UK-Backed Production Plant

On July, 2025, the UK gave the green light to a major step forward in clean energy: a green hydrogen production plant in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The project—led by Hygen Energy and N-Gen Energy Solutions—will be built on the old Birkshall gas storage site, breathing new life into a piece of legacy infrastructure. The facility will use alkaline electrolysis powered entirely by renewable energy to make low-carbon hydrogen, aimed at cleaning up emissions in transport and industry.

Helping Big Names Go Green

Companies like JCB and Wrightbus are expected to be among the key users of this low-carbon fuel, as they work toward cutting emissions from heavy-duty machinery and public transport. The environmental payoff could be massive. The site is projected to save as much emissions as 800 diesel buses would produce in a single day—pretty impressive when you think about it.

Fueling the Future

Alongside hydrogen production, there’s also a hydrogen refuelling hub in the works. That means cleaner fuel could soon be much more accessible for vehicles, giving a big nudge to the UK’s Net Zero 2050 ambition. This development isn’t just about tech—it’s about building out the kind of hydrogen infrastructure that makes widespread adoption possible.

A First of Its Kind

This Bradford project is one of the earliest to be approved under the government’s new Hydrogen Allocation Rounds, setting the tone for what’s to come. It’s a blueprint for how we can reuse outdated energy sites to power a cleaner future—good for the planet, sure, but also a win for the local economy. It’s expected to create new jobs and attract investment to the region.

Construction is already underway, with the facility set to be up and running sometime in 2025. It’s a big leap forward for industrial decarbonization and further proof that fuel cell technology and hydrogen production are no longer ‘someday’ ideas—they’re happening now.