Airport fuelling the future with hydrogen station

Work has started on a “pioneering” hydrogen refuelling station at Teesside International Airport.

Led by Element 2, the project will provide hydrogen refuelling for cars, trucks, vans and airport vehicles as part of the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub, funded by the UK Government.

With planning permission now secured, construction is set to be completed this spring, with bosses saying the site will “drive and further strengthen…commercial access to hydrogen” and further boost the airport’s “green energy ambitions”. 

James Harris, Element 2 chief executive, said: “Element 2 is providing the UK backbone for hydrogen supply and retail infrastructure for industrials, Power to Liquid, off-grid and transport demand, and this pioneering site at Teesside helps to drive and further strengthen the UK-wide infrastructure that is much needed for commercial access to hydrogen.

“We are excited to work with Teesside International Airport, Innovate UK and local commercial fleets to achieve this and help reduce transport emissions in the Tees Valley.”

Phil Forster, managing director at Teesside International Airport, added: “We’re flying more people to more destinations, but we’re also adding more strings to our bow at Teesside Airport, with our cargo facility, the business park, new hangars and our green energy ambitions.

“Securing planning permission for this new Element 2 hydrogen refuelling station is another key milestone. 

“We’re pioneering new technology at the airport and now we’re pioneering clean energy fuels which will all help to boost our airport.”

The site will support the transition to low-emission transport, further cementing Teesside’s position as a leader in hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel innovation, with the airport also recently securing a 100 per cent renewable energy agreement with broker 121 Business Links.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “We were first out of the blocks when it came to backing hydrogen – and it’s great to see the groundwork is now paying off with action and results.

“We want to continue to stretch our lead at the forefront of the cleaner, healthier and safer industries of tomorrow and having this station at our airport is a huge marker laid down to the rest of the country. 

“The upshot of investing and working on these pioneering industries is we’re at the front of the queue in bringing hundreds of good, well-paid jobs to our people and our airport in the years to come.”

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