Industry leaders, council officials, stakeholders and climate experts descended on Bradford City Hall to discuss how the city’s landmark hydrogen project can be central to the region’s low-carbon future.

With figures showing the state-of-the-art hydrogen production facility on the old Birkshall Gas works could generate £120m to the Bradford economy and create up to 125 jobs, more than 100 people attended summit talks hosted by Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe and project partners N-Gen and Hygen.

Bradford Council supports the project and believes, as West Yorkshire’s only planned hydrogen production plant, it will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “Tackling air pollution and addressing climate change is important to Bradford. We’re demonstrating that you can do this at the same time as building a sustainable and prosperous economy that works in the interests of everyone.”

“Seeing leaders from all over the UK come to Bradford to map out not only the project but to define a low-carbon future for the region has been particularly inspiring.”

“This is a significant step forward for Bradford’s economic growth plans and will provide enormous benefits to the people of this city and beyond.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Said: “We’ve declared a climate emergency in West Yorkshire, and we’re committed to net zero by 2038, so I’m delighted that one of the UK’s biggest hydrogen production facilities is right here in Bradford.”

“This new investment will play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitions of a greener, more secure region, with higher paid jobs and lower energy bills for future generations.”

Mark Horsley, Chief Executive Officer of N-Gen Energy said ‘We’re delighted to be repurposing an old gas site in Bradford to produce hydrogen, creating a viable route to decarbonisation for many carbon intensive industries and operators of heavy vehicles. It was great to see the enthusiasm for the job and investment opportunities this generates for Bradford and the wider Yorkshire region at today’s event.’

Ben Madden, Hycap Chief Technology Officer and company director of Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen added: “Everyone here today is committed to reducing emissions and ensuring the vision of a net-zero future becomes reality.”

In addition to listening to Project Leaders, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe and Mayor Tracy Brabin, attendees also heard about the real application of hydrogen in glass industry by Glass Futures and had the opportunity to pose questions to a panel of experts from industry, the project team and Hydrogen Energy Association CEO, Celia Greaves.