UK capabilities in hydrogen were further boosted today as the Government created the sixth Low Carbon Economic Area in South Wales.
The most recent Low Carbon Economic Area (Lcea), which extends as far as Swindon in the South West, has been named as the leading centre in the UK for hydrogen energy.
As part of this, the University of Glamorgan announced that it is investing £6.3m to develop new processes, products and services as part of the CymruH2Wales project. It will create 23 new research staff over the next three years and a further 63 permanent jobs in hydrogen energy.
Speaking at Johnson Matthey in Swindon, Energy Minister Lord Hunt highlighted how the Lcea will build on the expertise in South Wales to develop hydrogen on a commercial basis and would be closely linked to end users based on the M4 corridor. Lord Hunt also announced that the company will receive a share of £7.2m of funding to develop hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
“Cleaning up our energy supply and the fuel we use for transport will give the UK the opportunity to develop the low carbon industries of the future,” said Lord Hunt. “Fuel cells and hydrogen can play a key role in cutting CO2 emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
“Through this boost for hydrogen, innovative businesses like Johnson Matthey are well placed to benefit from the move to low carbon. I congratulate them on their funding award and thank them for this contribution to tackling climate change.”
Tim Brown
