Major step forward for Carlton Power project

Energy infrastructure development company Carlton Power’s plans to build a green hydrogen hub on land within the Langage Energy Park have taken a major step forward. The development is considered to be a “beacon project for the West Country’s green economy” which will “play an important role in the development of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport”.Yesterday (30 March), multibillion-pound plans to boost Britain’s long-term energy security and independence by generating more clean, affordable energy were unveiled.The Government revealed 12 new measures in its Powering up Britain Energy Security Plan, one of which was backing green hydrogen production projects under the £240m Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.The shortlist contains a number of electrolytic hydrogen projects, totalling 408MW of capacity across England, Scotland and Wales.One of them is the Langage Green Hydrogen project – the only scheme in the South West of England to be backed.Subject to an agreement with Carlton Power, the government will provide financial support to the project through its Hydrogen Business Model process, which aims to stimulate the growth of the hydrogen economy in the South West and across the UK.Carlton’s 10MW hydrogen hub project at Langage is the first of its kind in Devon and Cornwall, and will form part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, which secured Government backing in December 2022.Langage will provide local companies – such as energy intensive industries or those with transport fleets – with “easy access to hydrogen fuel”. In addition, the hub will support the further growth of renewable electricity generation in the South West.Eric Adams, Carlton Power’s hydrogen projects director, said: “Our Langage project is a beacon project for the West Country’s green economy and it will play an important role in the development of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport.”Today’s decision will encourage industry and transport operators in the region to embrace the energy transition and Net Zero with confidence.”He added: “We are hugely grateful for all the support that we have received to date from amongst local organisations who share an ambition to see a hydrogen economy take shape in the South West.”Langage is just the beginning; it will be a catalyst for inward investment and the development of the green economy in the South West.”Subject to final agreements with the Government and final investment decision for the project, Carlton Power is aiming to start construction at Langage before the end of the year and for it to enter commercial operation in 2025.