Giant Japanese conglomerate Mitsui, RWE, the United Kingdom’s largest power generator, and the Port of Tilbury have agreed to investigate green hydrogen options.

The three organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for two green hydrogen projects at the port in Essex.

The first task will be a proof-of-concept project to decarbonise port equipment by switching them from fossil fuels to hydrogen.

The second phase will be a 10 MW green hydrogen plant on Port of Tilbury land that previously housed a coal-fired power station.

This project will look at scaling up the plant over 10 years to produce 100 MW or more of green hydrogen that could be used for port infrastructure and operations, with any excess to be offered to surrounding industry.

Port of Tilbury commercial director Peter Ward says: “Our business has set out our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2032 and net zero by 2042 by investing in the infrastructure in the ports. 

“As part of Thames Freeport, our MOU with RWE and Mitsui to develop a new hydrogen plant at the Port of Tilbury will help accelerate the United Kingdom's path to a decarbonised economy and support our vision for low carbon logistics."

RWE director hydrogen development Steve Boughton says: "Hydrogen is a key component of the energy transition and we want to play a leading role in this, aiming to develop 2 GW of capacity by 2030. 

“This collaboration with Mitsui and the Port of Tilbury is for an innovative project combing production and industrial customer use with potential fuel switching of port equipment."

Mitsui general manager hydrogen solutions business division Shinya Umehara says: “Through this project, Mitsui is looking forward to playing an important role in the realization of the UK's hydrogen strategy in collaboration with the Port of Tilbury and RWE."