‘THIS IS A MONUMENTAL DEAL’
Green light for JCB’S new ‘hydrogen fuel’
DIGGER-MAKER JCB will soon be able to distribute ‘green’ hydrogen in the UK – after signing a major deal with an Australian company.
The Rocester manufacturer and Oxford-based Ryze Hydrogen, which is run and owned by JCB heir Jo Bamford, have made a multi-million pound agreement to buy green hydrogen (GH2) from Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) – and supply it to UK customers.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed by all of the parties involved, JCB and Ryze will buy 10 per cent of FFI’S global GH2 production in what is being described as a ‘first of its kind partnership’.
FFI – which will start producing green hydrogen for the UK early next year – expects its annual production of GH2 to grow to 15 million tonnes per year in the next eight years, and to 50 million tonnes after 2030.
JCB chairman Lord Bamford said: “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.”
Just last month, JCB won the backing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson after announcing a £100 million investment in ‘greener’ engines.
It comes after the company unveiled a prototype hydrogenpowered JCB backhoe loader and a Loadall telescopic handler.
Lord Bamford’s son Jo said: “This is a monumental deal, not just for us but for the UK as a whole.
“We have chosen to partner with the global leaders in green hydrogen, and it is fabulous that two countries
– the UK and Australia – can come together to create a brighter future.
“We are walking the walk on green hydrogen, and now we want the Government to show its commitment to the sector by investing in buses, trains, trucks, ships, aircraft and the entire green hydrogen supply chain.
“This agreement demonstrates that green hydrogen does not need to be ‘transitioned’ via fossil fuel hydrogen.”
JCB and Ryze revealed that they want to collaborate with other parties to increase demand for green hydrogen, and explore the possibility of setting up green hydrogen and green industry manufacturing centres.
If the partnership is a success, the firms could also start to look at ways to provide green hydrogen to European customers.
FFI chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO, added: “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.”