Protium and ITM Power partner on UK green hydrogen projects

Key highlights
  • Protium and ITM Power formalised a strategic partnership to develop, invest in and operate industrial-scale green hydrogen plants across the UK.
  • Cromarty Project: 15 MW electrolyser capacity producing circa 7 tonnes of green hydrogen per day at peak, targeting heavy industrial heat and power customers off the national gas grid.
  • Phase 1 of Cromarty is expected to create approximately 30 skilled local jobs and apprenticeships; Protium will lead power procurement, permitting, downstream infrastructure and hydrogen distribution.
  • Parties will evaluate Hydropulse BOO deployment and potential direct acquisition of ITM electrolysers; Final Investment Decision for Cromarty is targeted for December 2026.

Deal overview

Protium Green Solutions Ltd and ITM Power have formalised a strategic partnership to develop, invest in and operate industrial-scale green hydrogen plants across the UK, with an immediate focus on the Cromarty Project in Scotland. The agreement creates a flexible framework to support expansion of the domestic green energy supply chain and to explore a range of deployment models for Protium's HAR projects.

Commercial and delivery models

The companies are assessing multiple collaboration routes, including delivery via Hydropulse, ITM Power’s build-own-operate subsidiary for containerised plants, and options for Protium to directly acquire ITM electrolysis assets. These parallel options will undergo commercial due diligence to align technical delivery and value for money.

Cromarty project details

Cromarty, recently acquired by Protium and backed by HAR1 funding, will install a 15 MW electrolyser producing circa 7 tonnes of green hydrogen per day at peak. It targets regional heavy industrial heat and power customers, many off the national gas grid, and Phase 1 is estimated to create about 30 skilled local jobs and apprenticeships.

Roles and timeline

Protium will act as primary developer, leading power procurement, permitting, downstream infrastructure and hydrogen distribution. A Final Investment Decision for the Cromarty project is targeted for December 2026.

Source: ITM Power

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