Leeds Bradford Airport unveils plans for new sustainable energy hub

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has set its sights on providing its own hydrogen after securing a new industry partnership.

The airport has teamed up with ITM Power to develop proposals for a new sustainable energy hub.

The hub will use hydrogen and rapid EV charging facilities to power the airport’s fleet of vehicles, as well as allowing LBA to fuel the next generation of hydrogen and EV powered ground handling vehicles.

The initiative is incorporated within LBA’s current application for a replacement terminal. If approved, work is expected to start on the energy hub as early as 2022.

Charles Johnson, head of development at Leeds Bradford Airport, commented: “This project is a clear indicator of how serious LBA is about its future sustainability commitments and the first step in realising our ambitions to become a carbon net zero airport for ground-based operations.

“It represents a significant investment in the sustainable future of the airport, preparing us for the new wave of hydrogen and EV powered specialist vehicles on the horizon.

“We believe that LBA has a big role to play in the long-term future of the region and we have the perfect opportunity to lead on creating meaningful changes to infrastructure. We look forward to bringing our plans with Yorkshire firm ITM Power to fruition.”

Duncan Yellen, MD at ITM Power, added: “Green hydrogen provides the missing piece in the transport jigsaw, freeing transport to perform all the functionality currently delivered by diesel whilst emitting nothing but clean water and helping us power our way to a net zero future.

“Our strategy is to develop a network of large scale Hydrogen Refuelling Stations across the UK available to all Heavy Duty Vehicles and we are delighted to be partnering with LBA to provide one of the first of these in our home county of Yorkshire.”