UK's H-Power completes first bulk hydrogen sale from ammonia

H-Power's pilot ammonia cracker plant will produce the hydrogen for sale to Protium. This represents the first commercial sale of bulk hydrogen to a third-party customer from cracked ammonia in the UK, and further growth of the UK hydrogen economy. This clearly demonstrates that H-Power is enabling the production of scaled volumes of low carbon hydrogen from its ammonia cracker at a commercially viable price, without reliance on government subsidies or incentives. The agreement between H-Power and Protium also demonstrates practical results of the Government’s Clean Power mission, by creating the policy frameworks that are enabling businesses to invest in and scale pioneering clean energy projects.

This sale of hydrogen from H-Power's ammonia cracker follows an amendment to H-Power's Dunsfold facility permit by the Environment Agency, as previously announced by H-Power on February 18, 2026, allowing the sale of hydrogen produced from the ammonia cracker to third party customers for a period until August 31, 2026. This evidences how DEFRA and the Environment Agency’s approach to environmental permitting is supporting the scale up of innovative ammonia and hydrogen technologies.

The hydrogen supplied will be produced from bio-ammonia and classified as green hydrogen. The hydrogen produced by H-Power’s pilot ammonia cracker plant and sold to Protium will be at 99.97% hydrogen purity (certified ISO 14687 Grade D), PEM fuel cell grade hydrogen. 5,000 kilograms of hydrogen provides sufficient fuel to run a H-Power LC30 fuel cell generator at full rated power (30kW) continuously for more than 100 days.

H-Power and Protium have also entered into an agreement for an initial period of 12 months (extendable by mutual agreement), which will create a ‘virtual depot’ for Protium at H-Power's Dunsfold facility. A number of Protium’s hydrogen storage and logistics assets, including multiple cylinder packages (MCPs) can be stored at Dunsfold Park, filled with hydrogen produced from ammonia via H-Power's ammonia cracker plant. Operating this facility as an additional regional distribution base significantly expands Protium's delivery capability throughout the Southeast, enabling the supply of green hydrogen to customers across the UK safely, simply and reliably, supporting them through the energy transition.

The development and launch of H-Power’s HY5 decentralised portable cracker unit (capable of producing up to 500 kg of hydrogen per day) remains on track and will provide the lowest cost bulk fuel cell grade hydrogen (without the need for government subsidy) available to industrial customers, in the UK, by the end of calendar year 2026. This is continuing to lead to significant numbers of enquiries being made due to its ability to unlock the joint challenges of hydrogen logistics and hydrogen pricing.

H-Power’s HY5 ammonia cracker is based on the technology and builds on the learnings from H-Power’s pilot plant, with a refined architecture to deliver a higher throughput of hydrogen gas, all within a smaller containerised footprint. This has been enabled by H-Power’s proprietary dual heat source ammonia cracker which also features enhanced efficiency. The HY5 is positioned as an alternative to a 1.2MW electrolyser.

John Wilson, CEO of H-Power plc, commented:

"We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Protium for H-Power to supply and sell 5,000 kilograms of fuel cell grade green hydrogen produced from H-Power’s ammonia cracker plant. This is a first in the UK, clearly demonstrating that H-Power enables the production of scaled volumes of low carbon hydrogen reliably and safely from our ammonia cracker at a commercially viable price, without reliance on government subsidies or incentives. By partnering with Protium, together we are unlocking the joint challenges of hydrogen logistics and hydrogen pricing, delivering reliable hydrogen production, supply, storage and distribution at scale and at commercially viable prices. We are enabling customers and industries to decarbonise today, and I am pleased that the UK Government and Environment Agency support our important role.”

Christopher Jackson, CEO and Founder of Protium, said:

“This collaboration effectively showcases how innovative technology and strategic distribution can overcome traditional pricing and logistics barriers, accelerating the path to a resilient and self-sustaining green hydrogen economy. By integrating this supply into our logistics network and establishing a 'virtual depot' at Dunsfold, we are expanding our end-to-end capability to deliver practical, zero-emission solutions to industrial and transport sectors today. This is how we make green hydrogen simple and real for customers.”

Emma Hardy, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Water and Flooding) at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:

“H-Power’s UK-first sale of hydrogen from cracked ammonia demonstrates the new innovation that we need to protect our environment while also building a more resilient supply of hydrogen for the UK in the face of global shocks. Through our environmental permitting reforms, we are unlocking the investment in new clean energy that drives sustainable economic growth and the greater adaption of green technologies, like hydrogen from cracked ammonia.”

Dr Jo Nettleton, Chief Regulator at the Environment Agency, said:

“We are modernising our regulatory framework to unlock the clean energy solutions of the future, like those being utilised by H-Power. Our support for pioneering projects, like this one providing hydrogen from cracked ammonia, is helping to accelerate the nation's path to net zero while showing how strong environmental standards and industrial innovation must go hand-in-hand."

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ALCHEMPro News Desk (JP)