Sheffield manufacturing: Hydrogen specialist ITM Power to create 400 jobs in 'biggest ever' £120m investment
A Sheffield manufacturer is set to spend £120m and create 400 jobs in the biggest investment in hydrogen in the UK.
ITM Power in Tinsley will become one of Europe’s largest electrolyser factories supporting jobs in manufacturing, construction and the supply chain.
Some £86.5m is from government and Great British Energy, the UK’s publicly owned energy company, in a drive for energy security.
The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero says the conflict in the Middle East has shown the need to take back control of Britain’s energy and “get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster.”
Energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said it would create “good industrial jobs for South Yorkshire.”
He added: “Communities have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs, and with these plans we answer that call, helping to create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job.”
Dennis Schulz, CEO of ITM said clean power increasingly underpinned “energy sovereignty and resilience.”
He added: “The UK government’s support marks a pivotal step in establishing ITM at the centre of the UK’s hydrogen economy and firmly positions us as a natural partner for projects in the UK.
“The funds will enable the build-out of large-scale domestic manufacturing of our next-generation Chronos platform, underpinning confidence in our technology and sustained growth.”
The new manufacturing line is set to be operational in 2028, he added.
It will see spending on catalyst-coated membrane manufacturing equipment, electrode welding, specialist coatings, stack assembly lines and cleanroom facilities.
ITM Power was established 26 years ago and has never been profitable, but it says its financial performance has been improving year on year.
The firm makes electrolysers that split water to create hydrogen that can be burned or used in fuel cells to create electricity.
Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, said: “The government’s commitment to invest £87 million to scale up ITM Power is a huge vote of confidence for South Yorkshire’s clean energy economy.
“This is an investment that will help to not only secure the future of ITM Power in South Yorkshire, but to further build a company that’s vital to our leadership of a key industry of the future.
“The government’s commitment reinforces South Yorkshire’s status as a globally leading advanced manufacturing region, and positions the Don Valley Corridor as an international hub for hydrogen production.
“Hydrogen is a fast-growing element of our energy mix, and will be essential in our ambitions to create a greener, cleaner South Yorkshire economy. The government’s support means we are one step closer to meeting that challenge.
“Our region powered the UK’s first industrial revolution - this new investment today continues to put us right at the forefront of the next industrial revolution.”