Grenian Hydrogen is developing a project to provide a long-term supply of green hydrogen to produce low carbon glass at Pilkington UK’s Greengate Works site in St Helens, solidifying Liverpool City Region’s place at the forefront of both low carbon energy development and glass innovation.
Pilkington UK, part of the NSG Group, has manufactured glass in St Helens for almost 200 years, supplying glass into the architectural sector for buildings and homes. Grenian will produce green hydrogen on a plot at the Greengate Works site using renewable electricity. This will reduce fossil gas used in Pilkington UK’s furnace allowing Pilkington UK to continue to decarbonise it’s glass production.
Grenian Hydrogen comprises Progressive Energy – a low carbon energy project developer, Statkraft – Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy; and Foresight – a leading investment manager in real assets and capital for growth. The consortium is developing a suite of low carbon (‘green’) hydrogen production plants across the North West of England and North Wales. The project at Pilkington UK is the first that Grenian will submit for planning permission.
Grenian CEO, Adam Baddeley said:
“The Grenian team has been working closely with Pilkington UK to get to a point at which we can present our plans to the St Helens community.
“We are really looking forward to meeting those who live and work in St Helens at our community event, as part of our consultation, on June 18th, 2024. We will be at the World of Glass between 2pm and 7pm to explain more about the project, and answer questions.
“The project marks an exciting point in Liverpool City Region’s journey to create sustainable energy solutions – with St Helens leading the way.”
The public consultation event will provide an opportunity to learn how green hydrogen is created and to find out more about how it will be used at the Greengate Works site.
Adam added:
“At the event we will have presentations from key experts involved in the project, interactive discussions, and opportunities for attendees to share their feedback and insights.
“We would encourage all interested parties to join this conversation and contribute to shaping the future of energy innovation.”
Neil Syder, managing director at Pilkington UK, said:
“Our plans to produce green hydrogen on site will provide a blueprint for the decarbonisation of flat glass manufacturing all over the world.
“Using zero carbon hydrogen to fuel our production will enable us to permanently remove 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from our production each year, representing a major step forward in meeting our Science Basted Targets Initiative (SBTi) certified targets for achieving carbon neutrality.
“Securing hydrogen supply will also help us to deliver our vision to makechange™: by transforming our processes and by delivering the low carbon building products that will define the pace of decarbonisation in the built environment.”