ITM Power is setting up a subsidiary company in Wales and opening a new facility focussed on supporting the establishment of a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in Wales that will create 46 new jobs.
Backed by £1m business finance from the Welsh Government, the new company, ITM Motive, will initially establish a business development office in Cardiff with the intention to establish a facility for assembly and after sales support in Wales.
ITM Power designs and manufactures hydrogen energy systems for energy storage and clean fuel production and aims to be a world leading supplier of infrastructure products for the production of green hydrogen transport fuel.
ITM Power say there is a growing momentum for the deployment of their electrolyser based hydrogen refuelling stations at sites across Wales, to produce hydrogen fuel from renewable energy, including the planned M4 corridor project and a wider Welsh roll out.
The investment decision follows the announcement that the Welsh Government is joining UK H2Mobility, a national project where industry leaders and Government are working together the realise the benefits of hydrogen-fuelled road transport.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:” The Welsh Government takes a proactive role in the development of the low carbon vehicle sector in Wales to maximise opportunities for growth and jobs.
“I am delighted that ITM Power recognises the existing expertise that we have in Wales in this particular field and that it plans to set up a development base here.
“ITM Power are key players in the long term development of the low carbon economy in the UK and attracting investment in next generation technology supports two of our key sectors.
“ I am pleased to offer funding in support of this investment which ties in well with the work we are currently supporting. We want to ensure businesses, technology organisations and academic institutions currently focused on clean green technologies can take advantage of the growing opportunities in this area ”
Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power commented: “We recognise the opportunities to benefit from the expertise within Wales and the Hydrogen facilities and project partners of ITM in South Wales. This is also complimented by the increasing penetration of renewable power in Wales and the opportunities to make green hydrogen fuel from wind.”
Jon Maddy, of the Baglan Hydrogen Energy Centre at the University of South Wales said “This is good timing, there is a growing momentum for the deployment of their electrolyser based hydrogen refuelling stations at sites across Wales, to produce hydrogen fuel from renewable energy, including the planned M4 corridor project and a wider Welsh roll out.”
ITM Motive will work closely with the Baglan Hydrogen Energy Centre at the University of South Wales and Ynni Glan, the clean energy consultancy specialising in fuel cells, hydrogen, solar, wind and bioenergy on the development of a Welsh hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.