By
20 min ago 2 min read
UK hydrogen supplier Protium has partnered with electrolyser maker ITM Power to jointly develop and operate a rescued government-backed project, under a broader agreement targeting country-wide developments.
The pair will initially focus on taking the 15MW Cromarty project in Scotland, which Protium from carbon capture Storegga after its co-developer Scottish Power , to final investment decision by December 2026.
The project had been awarded revenue subsidies under the UK’s first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1), which Protium confirmed to H2 View could be retained.
Hydrogen produced at the Cromarty project could be supplied to regional industrial heat and power customers. No firm offtake agreements have been announced.
Under the partnership, Protium will lead power procurement, permitting, downstream infrastructure, and hydrogen distribution. ITM’s role is currently being evaluated, with potential for the firm’s build-own-operate subsidiary Hydropulse playing a role or for ITM to sell its electrolysers directly to Protium.
Having launched the business last year, ITM has said Hydropulse would manage electrolyser plant construction and operations, selling green hydrogen to customers under agreements.
Beyond Cromarty, the duo said they would look to develop and operate “industrial-scale” green hydrogen plants across the UK, including Protium’s projects shortlisted for subsidies .
The company’s Magor Net Zero and South Tees Net Zero projects aim to deploy 20MW and 30MW of hydrogen production capacity, respectively. However, government selection of which HAR2 projects will proceed to contract negotiations has fallen behind schedule.
It comes as part of a ramp-up from Protium, including the commissioning of its second self-built green hydrogen plant, and the acquisition of an operational solar and landfill gas-powered project on the South Coast.
More broadly, however, UK hydrogen players have been calling out for faster action from the government. Industry has been awaiting a strategy refresh for over a year, and still misses key frameworks for transportation and storage of the gas.
Just last week, energy firm hydrogen production projects, citing “material policy delays.”
