About Us
Our Mission
The North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) brings together many of the UK’s most influential organisations developing the nation’s leading regional hydrogen economy. Working with regional partners we helped the North West become one of only two decarbonised energy clusters given Government backing.
We have the industry, infrastructure and innovation to make hydrogen energy a reality. The North West of England and North Wales are already delivering a range of hydrogen projects from research, production, distribution and storage, which will create and sustain a hydrogen market.
The NWHA’s mission is to:
- Bring together regional and national stakeholders, increasing public awareness of hydrogen
- Provide a prominent voice in the hydrogen debate through its experts and spokespeople
- Provide opportunities for supply chains to meet, collaborate and maximise regional hydrogen opportunities
- Support regional hydrogen initiatives to further develop economic opportunities and job creation
- Continue to present a compelling case for the North West to receive the vital Government support needed to realise the benefits of hydrogen
Partners
The North West Hydrogen Alliance brings together some of the region’s largest and most innovative organisations, each bringing a unique set of skills and assets to the Alliance.
Alliance members represent organisations who want to make the most of hydrogen to drive a low carbon economy and support a green recovery. It is the largest regional membership body dedicated to hydrogen in the UK.
ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. For more than 130 years, ABB has created technologies that stimulate economic growth and improve people’s lives. Today, we remain focused on delivering leading-edge products, services and solutions for our customers and are working to further enhance the eco-efficiency of these offerings to support the fight against climate change and conserve non-renewable resources.
Axis is a leading national planning and environmental consultancy with a passion for delivering intelligent and innovative development. Everything we do is underpinned by a commitment to quality. With a focus on sustainability, liveability and the environment, our experienced team manages major projects across all key sectors. Our sector specific knowledge means we can anticipate challenges and act in advance, delivering true value for our clients. It’s why, over more than two decades, we’ve become a trusted name nationwide in planning and environmental consultancy.
As our world changes, we support our clients in the transition to net zero carbon, which is increasingly shaping the broad variety of sectors across which we work. Together, we’re creating a sustainable future where innovative, intelligent infrastructure improves lives.
BakerRisk, with over 35 years of R&D and testing of flammable and explosion hazards, has been leading the way with characterizing the unique challenges of hydrogen: around flammable and explosion hazards, material compatibility due to temperature extremes in the manufacturing process, and storage and infrastructure. Understanding these challenges and the associated principles of Process Safety is essential to defining the engineering systems required for safe production and delivery of hydrogen fuel.
Bilfinger UK are a trusted Engineering and Services partner, delivering intelligent solutions to customers across the UK via our highly skilled workforce of over 2,500 employees operating from 8 UK offices. Headquartered in the North West of England, we are strategically placed to support the NWHA in the drive towards a sustainable energy future for the region. Our services cover all life cycle phases from planning and design through development and construction as well as commissioning, maintenance, modification and decommissioning.
BOC has a long-established presence in the North West, employing over 600 people at our Customer Service Centre in Manchester and at our production sites in St Helens and Runcorn. BOC pioneered hydrogen for vehicles in the UK with its refuelling station in Swindon and its parent company, Linde, has installed over 100 hydrogen refuelling stations globally. Linde is also a leading supplier of hydrogen plants and carbon dioxide capture technology. BOC operates multiple hydrogen plants in the UK, including one at St Helens.
CADENT is the UK’s largest gas distribution network. Its four regions cover the North West and some of the largest cities outside London. Its 130,000km network delivers gas to around 11 million customers every day. Cadent originated HyNet, the North West’s key Hydrogen project, and it leads HyDeploy which demonstrates that a 20% blend of hydrogen can be used effectively for domestic heating and cooking. It is also the leading voice in decarbonising heavy transport such as HGVs, buses and ferries using hydrogen fuel cells.
As a smart infrastructure solutions company, Costain helps to improve people’s lives by deploying technology-led programmes to meet urgent national needs across the UK’s energy, water and transportation sectors. Costain is helping our clients create climate change action-plans that enable them to meet their objectives in implementing a net zero strategy. We do this by adding value to our clients, helping them shape their path to net zero and guiding them to deliver by implementing our innovative consultancy, asset optimisation, technology and complex delivery services.
Carlton Power is committed to developing a new generation of shovel ready projects to support Net Zero. Founded in 1995, Carlton Power is an experienced independent developer of low carbon and renewable energy projects in the UK. Carlton has a proven track record with over 2.2GW of power generation plant developed and in operation.
Enterprising Cumbria is the new face of Cumbria LEP, driving economic development and business growth across the region. Backed by Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council, we work with public and private sector partners to secure investment, create jobs, and build a thriving, sustainable economy.
Encirc is a market leader in glass container design, manufacturing, bottling and logistics solutions for the UK, Irish and European food and beverages industries. With over 1,700 employees, we operate from three purpose-built sites in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, Elton, Cheshire and Corsico, Italy, producing more than 3 billion glass bottles and other containers annually, and can fill up to 250 million litres of bulk shipped beverages every year.
RWE is the UK’s leading power generator, with a diverse portfolio of onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, hydro, biomass and gas. Using power from its renewable projects, RWE is developing green hydrogen production projects across the UK and exploring new opportunities in the North West. As a key member of the North West Hydrogen Alliance, RWE sees hydrogen playing a vital role in decarbonising energy-intensive sectors.
RWE’s commitment to the North West Hydrogen Alliance helps position the region as a hub for hydrogen production and supports the region’s transition to a low-carbon future.
AE Yates, a civil engineering and construction specialist, brings decades of experience delivering major infrastructure projects. The company is committed to supporting the hydrogen supply chain by leveraging its expertise in sustainable and innovative construction practices.
Walker Sime, a mid-size multidisciplinary consultancy, has joined the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) to drive the UK’s decarbonisation and clean energy transition. This strategic move ensures our clients and projects are at the forefront of the hydrogen economy, learning, collaborating, and shaping the future of energy alongside industry leaders. Walker Sime is committed to driving sustainable change in the construction industry, proving that leadership in decarbonisation isn’t just for the biggest players but for those ready to take action. We aim to bridge the gap between ambition and practical implementation, making low-carbon technologies real-world opportunities.
The University of Manchester (UoM) boasts a dynamic team of over 70 academics dedicated to pioneering research in various hydrogen-related fields. This extensive research encompasses a broad range of topics such as the hydrogen production, purification, storage, and transportation and utilisation, as well as its potential environmental and societal impacts. Some key areas are:
• Hydrogen production, purification and utilisation;
• Hydrogen storage, transport and materials;
• Hydrogen economy, sustainability and policy;
• Cross-cutting themes and platforms.
Kent design, build and maintain the assets that power the world for today and make it future-ready for tomorrow. From consulting to design, build, commissioning and startup through to maintenance and decommissioning, it is Kent’s ambition to become the global leader in integrated energy services. In the energy transition, Kent are playing a crucial role, through advanced engineering, design and execution support, world-class consultancy services and digitalization initiatives. The UK teams are at the forefront of bringing Hydrogen into the UK’s future energy mix having engineered the UK’s first hydrogen production hub; Hynet at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The project was ‘highly commended’ in the global IChemE awards 2021 and has been selected in ‘Track 1’ of the industrial Cluster Sequencing process.
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) was established to prove innovative manufacturing processes and technologies in an agile environment in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions. Housing some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, creating a high quality environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale, the MTC provides a unique opportunity for manufacturers to develop new and innovative processes and technologies. The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.
Manchester Airport is the UK’s global gateway in the North flying to over 150 destinations with 50 airlines. Manchester Airport – as part of Manchester Airports Group – has a target to make its own operations net zero carbon by 2038, 12 years ahead of the UK national target and two years ahead of the target set for UK airports in the Government’s Jet Zero Strategy. The use of hydrogen fuel technology will play a pivotal role in aviation decarbonisation. Manchester Airport has partnered with HyNet to aim to be the first in UK with direct hydrogen fuel pipeline.
nZero Group Ltd invested in Thyson Technology in 2016 and invested in Orbital Gas Systems in 2022. We believe the time is right to grow our established capabilities using the exceptional talent of both businesses and position nZero Group as the UK’s leading measurement and control partner across the natural gas, petrochemical, biomethane and decarbonisation sectors.
Northern Valve & Fitting Company Limited is the sole UK distributors for the full range of FITOK products. FITOK design and manufacture a full range of products with instrumentation and gas control systems for hydrogen, and other industries.
An engineering consultancy based in Manchester, Otto Simon has a 140-year heritage in gas processing, thermal processes, and technology selection, and is now at the forefront of technical innovation currently employed in the developing hydrogen market. Otto Simon is working on pioneering UK hydrogen projects, providing practical hands-on engineering expertise to the feasibility studies, due diligence, commercialisation and re-purposing of conventional gas equipment to utilise blended hydrogen or pure hydrogen as a fuel source.
Peel Ports Group is the second largest port group in the UK, handling nearly 70 million tonnes of cargo per year and welcoming 14% of the UK’s total port traffic* through its waters. The Group owns and operates some of the UK’s most important ports and terminals, but what sets it apart is the way it works with customers to extend and transform their supply chains, increasing efficiencies and helping facilitate sustainable futures.
Headquartered in Liverpool, Peel Ports has continuously been at the forefront of international trade, having made significant investments in people, technologies and processes to enable this. For the last 10 years, the Group has seen year on year incremental growth demonstrating the adaptability of the port and economic importance to the region. Making up the Mersey cluster, the Port of Liverpool and Manchester Ship Canal facilities are situated on the Mersey estuary and have strong links to the Hynet area, with Heysham port also strategically located at the heart of the gateway into the Irish market.
*DfT Port Traffic Data 2020
Cheshire and Warrington LEP leads the growth of the Cheshire and Warrington economy through a powerful partnership between the private, public, and voluntary sectors. Our ambition is to be the UK’s healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy. As part of our net zero programme we aim to support the North West to become a world leading cluster for zero carbon industry and innovation, recognising the importance of hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, new nuclear, renewables and other energy vectors to the area’s ambitions. We receive funding from DESNZ via the NW Net Zero Hub to coordinate and deliver decarbonisation in Cheshire and Warrington, working with our local authorities, industry, communities and others, with a special focus on industrial decarbonisation.
The Peel Group is a privately owned UK infrastructure and property investor with assets owned and under management of over £5Bn, centralised in the North West of England. Its portfolio of investments ranges from ports, airports and energy, to commercial property, retail and logistics. Peel NRE owns key infrastructure which may be critical to successful implementation of decarbonised energy in the North West including Protos, and through Peel Ports, the Manchester Ship Canal and the Port of Liverpool. Peel is a strong advocate of the North West as an exemplar cluster in the development of UK decarbonised energy based on hydrogen which sits at the heart of the Energy Innovation District.
Penspen provides services across the entire project lifecycle to help clients develop new energy assets and optimise existing assets, from wellhead to storage and distribution. For over 65 years, we’ve worked on over 10,000 projects in over 100 countries for oil companies, utilities and infrastructure owners. From concept, design, engineering and project management, to asset integrity and asset management services, these include risk and corrosion consultancy, operations, maintenance, rehabilitation and decommissioning. We provide customised services and fully integrated programmes. Penspen is a member of the Dar Group, an international network of engineering firms, comprising of over 19,000 staff and serving a wide range of industries.
Progressive Energy is a clean energy project developer focusing on decarbonisation of the ‘hard to reach’ sectors of the economy such as industry, transport and heat. Hydrogen is a fundamental element of the future low carbon economy, and we are at the heart of shaping many of the projects, technology developments and regulatory thinking required for this transition. Progressive is leading the HyNet North West project via several project development consortia.
Compact Syngas Solutions is a UK renewable energy company headquartered in Deeside, north Wales, specialising in converting biomass and waste into synthetic gas (syngas) for
power generation. Using innovative technologies, Compact Syngas Solutions is expanding into hydrogen production, providing a greater variety of sustainable energy solutions. By integrating syngas, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies, the company addresses waste management and energy challenges worldwide. We’re supporting a cleaner, low-carbon future via a transition to renewable energy in local and global markets and ensuring lasting energy independence globally.
As a member of the NSG Group, Pilkington United Kingdom Limited is one of the leading glass suppliers in the UK. Pilkington, which was acquired by NSG Group in 2006, invented the Float Process, by which most of the world’s high quality glass is made. The Pilkington brand is synonymous with technical excellence and service in the glass industry. With buildings accounting for almost 50 percent of the energy consumed in developed countries, increased focus is being placed on legislation and policies to improve their energy efficiency. Our products play a vital role in this area as well as in reducing CO2 emissions. Other advanced functionalities (of our glass) include fire protection, noise insulation, safety and security, privacy, decoration and even self-cleaning properties. Glass also has an important role to play in the developing Solar Energy sector. We supply products for all three of the leading technologies, converting power from the sun into clean renewable energy.
Based in St Helens and at the NSG Group’s European Technical Centre nearby in Lathom, Lancashire, we employ around 3,000 people across the UK, producing a range of glass solutions, from the manufacture of float, rolled and coated glass to glass processing and merchanting, automotive original equipment (OE) and automotive glass replacement (AGR) manufacture.
Swagelok Company is an approximately $2 billion privately held developer of fluid system products, assemblies, and services for the oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, semiconductor, and transportation industries. Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, U.S.A., Swagelok serves customers through 200 sales and service centers in 70 countries, supported by the expertise of 5,500 corporate associates at 20 manufacturing facilities and five global technology centres.
United Living Infrastructure Services is a trusted engineering and services partner, delivering intelligent solutions and associated network infrastructure to customers across the UK.
With a long-established presence in the North West of England, they are strategically placed to support the North West Hydrogen Alliance in its development of a hydrogen-based economy, and drive towards a sustainable energy future for the region.
University of Liverpool is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive higher education institutions with an annual income of £577.7 million. Consistently ranked in the top 200 universities worldwide, we are a member of the prestigious Russell Group and have a global reach and influence that reflects our academic heritage as one of the country’s largest civic institutions. At the forefront of innovation and discovery, academics and researchers at the University of Liverpool are advancing knowledge to solve global challenges and improve lives.
Uniper is a leading international energy company with around 11,500 employees and activities in more than 40 countries. With about 34 GW of installed generation capacity, Uniper is among the largest global power generators. In the UK, Uniper operates a flexible generation portfolio of seven power stations and a fast-cycle gas storage facility. Our Engineering Academy delivers technical training and government-accredited apprenticeships, and a broad range of commercial activities are offered through our Engineering Services division. Uniper is actively driving decarbonisation, with clean hydrogen technologies at the cornerstone of our strategy to make our European power generation portfolio carbon-neutral by 2035. We are a pioneer in the field of hydrogen with knowledge of the entire value chain, gained from our practical experience. Uniper was one of the first to implement power-to-gas technology – using wind power to produce hydrogen and feed it into the gas grid – with our plant in Falkenhagen, Germany built in 2013.
EET Hydrogen, based in the North West, is developing the first large scale, low carbon hydrogen production hub in the UK:
- Producing 1GW of hydrogen (the equivalent energy use of a large UK city like Liverpool)
- Capturing 1.8 million tonnes of carbon per annum (the equivalent produced by around 750,000 cars)
- Investing c £1 billion
- Securing and growing vital industries and jobs and unlocking billions of pounds of related investment.
Net Zero Energy Systems (NZES) provides technical and management consultancy services to clients. We hold particular experience and expertise in the application of a holistic whole
system perspective both to large complex, novel low carbon infrastructure projects and also regional and national energy transition and decarbonisation projects. NZES is a partner in the North East Wales Industrial Decarbonisation (NEWID) project which has received funding from IUK under the Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (LIDP) competition. NEWID aims to develop a credible industrial decarbonisation plan for North-East Wales working with key local stakeholders.
Yokogawa is a leading provider of Industrial Automation and Test and Measurement solutions. Combining superior technology with engineering services, project management, and maintenance, Yokogawa delivers field proven operational efficiency, safety, quality, and reliability.
Interested in joining?
Whether you’re an academic wanting to share your research or a business keen to support the use of hydrogen in the region, we want to hear from you. Get in touch to see how you could get involved.