Hydrogen fuelling Newcastle’s future
Thursday 04 December
Written by Invest Newcastle
In the world of clean energy, many will be familiar with the likes of wind, solar and tidal power. But, in recent years, a new player has swiftly emerged in the form of hydrogen. Earlier this year the Siemens Energy base in Newcastle announced a £2 million investment in a new facility together with green energy supplier, GeoPura, to harness the power of green hydrogen.
Newcastle-based company, GeoPura works at the forefront of the green energy revolution right here on our doorstep. Earlier this year they were recognised for their work in green hydrogen technology receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.
Through this partnership, the Siemens site in Newcastle now manufactures the Hydrogen Power Units which will go on to provide fuel to clients including the BBC, National Grid and HS2.
UK’s green hydrogen ambitions
The UK aims to develop 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 6GW of which set to be green hydrogen. In 2022, the government launched the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund to support the delivery of projects to facilitate the production of hydrogen. The national research hub: Hydrogen Integration for Accelerated Energy Transitions (HI-ACT) was also funded as part of a wider drive to achieve the UK goal of net zero by 2050.
How does green hydrogen work?
To create ‘green hydrogen’ renewable energy (including solar or wind) is used to split H2O into hydrogen and oxygen through the process of electrolysis. Hydrogen is then stored in fuel cells, used to heat homes, or to generate electricity.
As its only by-product is water vapour, hydrogen is a key driver towards Newcastle, and the UK’s, ambitions to become net zero.
Continuous research
In 2023, it was announced that Newcastle University was to lead a 5-year £10 million EPSRC-funded research hub, based in the city and in collaboration with universities across the country. The hub’s purpose is to explore and develop new ways of integrating hydrogen into our mainstream energy use. The award-winning HI-ACT programme continues to provide research and insights into the UK’s hydrogen supply chain and addresses the technical, environmental, social and economic challenges the sector faces in integrating hydrogen into the UK’s net zero transition.
With both commercial and research strengths in the city, Newcastle is well-placed to play a key role in the UK’s hydrogen energy transition, creating jobs, undertaking research and developing innovative solutions that have a real impact.
Find out what Newcastle can offer your energy business: https://investnewcastle.com/
Hydrogen fuelling and much more will be on the agenda at Clean Energy 2026, happening in Newcastle on Thursday 19th November 2026. Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting? Email enquiries@thesustainabilitycommunity.com
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