Edinburgh hydrogen tech firm powers up Belfast green bus project

An Edinburgh-based hydrogen technology specialist is to play a key role in a major green transport project in Northern Ireland.

Logan Energy, based in Edinburgh, specialises in the delivery of engineering solutions for integrated hydrogen technology systems, including hydrogen supply, refuelling, and fuel cells. Picture: Iain Masterton

Logan Energy is now responsible for the entire hydrogen production, distribution, and refuelling process for the Belfast bus project after successfully securing three contract wins.

By supplying hydrogen for public transport, the Scots firm is said to be helping drive the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy and meet ambitious net zero targets.

Earlier this year, Logan Energy announced that it had been commissioned to design and install a hydrogen refuelling station in Belfast. Supporting the rollout of three hydrogen buses in the city, the £1.9 million pilot project was backed by public transport authority Translink and represented a key step forward in integrating renewable energy alternatives into public transport services.

Logan Energy was also commissioned by Irish energy outfit Energia Group to supply and maintain three hydrogen tube trailers to support the safe transportation of hydrogen from the production site to the refuelling station.

The capital firm has also secured a contract with Areva H2Gen, where it will be responsible for integrating, operating and maintaining an electrolyser at a wind farm in County Antrim, as well as manufacturing a hydrogen compression module and a filling unit for the hydrogen tube trailer.

Bill Ireland, chief executive of Logan Energy, said: “We are proud to play such a significant role in Northern Ireland’s hydrogen infrastructure.

“It’s great to see the country turning to green hydrogen to aid the transition to clean energy and we are committed to creating a fully integrated system, which can meet growing demands for a greener economy.

“We have unrivalled knowledge in the successful integration of hydrogen technology and have built up strong working relationships with all of our partners.

“We hope to see more green hydrogen projects like these spring across the UK as we move full steam ahead towards achieving our net zero goals.”

Governments across the UK and Europe are beginning to carve out a place for hydrogen in the renewables transition.

In January, the Scottish Government announced a £62m energy transition fund to support businesses in the oil, gas and energy sectors grow and diversify. The investment has a focus on the North-east of Scotland, which is becoming a hub for hydrogen.

Nigel Holmes, chief executive of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA), said: “I am delighted to see the progress being made by SHFCA members Logan Energy and Areva H2Gen in helping to share learning and experience from hydrogen projects in Scotland with the developing hydrogen hub in Belfast.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland have had close trading and commercial links for many years, and this will continue to be to our mutual benefit.”

Logan Energy is the parent company to five subsidiaries: H2Tec Limited and BV, wholly owned subsidiaries that design and manufacture several types of specialised products for the hydrogen market from bases in the UK and the Netherlands; EneTec, which offers a hydrogen equipment distribution service; FuelCellUK, a hydrogen vehicle systems supplier; and Proton Power, providing hydrogen facility operation and maintenance.

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