Fortescue to ship green hydrogen to the United Kingdom

Andrew Forrest has announced yet another step towards creating a global green hydrogen business – a deal to become the United Kingdom’s largest supplier of green, renewable hydrogen.

Fortescue Future Industries has signed a multi-billion dollar agreement with with construction giant J C Bamford Excavators (JCB) and Ryze Hydrogen (Ryze) who will purchase 10 per cent of FFI’s global green hydrogen production.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed today, that’s a big deal as FFI plans to produce 15 million tonnes of GH2 per year by 2030, rising to 50 million tonnes per year in the decade thereafter.

Under the partnership, FFI will handle green hydrogen production and logistics to the UK market, and JCB and Ryze will manage distribution and development of customer demand in the UK.

FFI Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest said: “This landmark, first of its kind partnership will help the UK to achieve Net Zero, particularly in the hard to electrify sectors.

“Our agreement signals the first major shift in the global commercial landscape from fossil fuels towards the real, practical, implementable solution that is green hydrogen. We are delighted to announce this groundbreaking initiative at the critical climate forum of COP26.

“The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with replacing fossil fuel with only two million tonnes of green hydrogen is the equivalent of taking over 8 million cars off the road – almost a quarter of the UK’s entire fleet.”

The agreement has been strongly backed by JCB, which called it “a major advance.”

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “This is an important step towards getting green hydrogen to the customer.

“It’s fine having an engine powered by green hydrogen, but no good if customers can’t get green hydrogen to fuel their machines. This is a major advance on the road towards making green hydrogen a viable solution.”

Ryze is building the UK’s first network of green hydrogen production plants, while Wrightbus built the world’s first hydrogen double decker.

An extended offtake agreement will also be evaluated to provide green hydrogen to the European market, and the parties have agreed to evaluate collaboration opportunities to accelerate green hydrogen demand and establish green hydrogen and green industry manufacturing centres.

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