Engineering firm Haskel is hoping to significantly ramp-up the testing of its hydrogen refuelling stations using its Sunderland base.
Market research commissioned by the specialist in high pressure liquid and gas transfer products points to growth in demand for hydrogen refuelling - seen as a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel - in Asia Pacific where the market could be worth $1.5bn by 2029. Haskel, which is owned by US firm Ingersoll Rand, has ramped up North East recruitment over the past year - hiring 42 people to support increased capacity.
Plans to double manufacturing capacity involve Haskel's sites in Sunderland and in Rouen, France. The firm says it will scale up to produce 30 stations per year by 2024, an amount said to be unrivalled in the UK hydrogen refuelling station market.
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David Muckle, general manager at Haskel Europe Ltd said: "The ability to quickly adapt to growing international demand follows substantial investment in Haskel’s test site in recent years. Since 2017 we have invested close to £2m in both expanding operational capacity and upgrading equipment. Our 1,500 sqm site, capable of testing four 40ft refuelling stations at a time, has been developed with a central purpose in mind, to help fuel the decarbonisation of global transport fleets, and put Sunderland on the map as a hub for hydrogen innovation."
Stewart Anderson, APAC hydrogen business development manager at Haskel, said: "Amid debate about how to grow the use of hydrogen in the UK to reach net zero, I’m mindful of how countries such as Australia and New Zealand are taking giant leaps in this arena. Driven by clear government strategy, which in turn has unlocked investment in infrastructure, there’s a roadmap to building a network of hydrogen refuelling stations capable of removing emissions from transport. I hope to see the UK adopt a similar approach, and unlock the expertise on its doorstep."
Haskel has also partnered with New Zealand company Hiringa Energy to set up large-scale hydrogen refuelling stations for HGVs in New Zealand and Australia. The first phase of the project includes four such stations in the North Island on major freight routes.
Andrew Clennett, CEO of Hiringa Energy, said: "We forecast over 24 Hiringa high-capacity refuelling stations will come online across New Zealand in the next four to five years. This will provide unparalleled transport infrastructure and cement New Zealand as a centre for hydrogen innovation.
"A natural extension of our growth is into the Australian East Coast where we are advancing significant network plans. A key enabler for this expansion is our partnership with Haskel where their expertise and key equipment supply enables a commercially viable infrastructure model."
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