Newark site set to become world-leading hydrogen power centre

A former coal-fired power station near Newark is set to become home to nearly a million kilowatts of hydrogen power.

The site is hoping to solve a major stumbling block with renewable energy to date - it's lack of capacity for storage.

When the sun is at it's hottest and the wind is at it's strongest the grid is unable to cope with the extra energy produced.

HyMarnham Power will have capacity to store 930 megawatts of hydrogen fuel, which is made by converting this renewable energy into hydrogen gas and water.

Company's GeoPura and JG Pears have put forward £50 million of investment for the project.

"This particular site, it's almost like God said, 'they will make hydrogen here'," said GeoPura CEO Andy Cunningham.

"Because it's an ex coal-fired power station we still have that huge grid connection.

"We have the River Trent nearby, which is both navigable - we can move fuel in the future - and we can take water from the river.

"This then gets turned into hydrogen, which then gets turned back into water as part of the process."

Hydrogen fuel cells are already being used by clients including Netflix and Juniper to power remote filming locations and events.

They offer a clean alternative to diesel generators, with water the only by-product.

GeoPura tell us the project is of national significance, but will also create local jobs, "there are quite a few people working here already, and we're gonna need more people as we expand what we're doing," said Andy Cunningham.

"There is only 15 megawatts that we've built so far, and there's going to be 930 megawatts, so it gives you an idea of the expansion that's possible here."