Hydrogen Energy Facility Plans Halted Due to Safety Concerns

Plans for the construction of a contentious hydrogen energy facility have been suspended following concerns raised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Japanese firm Marubeni Europower aims to establish a hydrogen storage and refuelling unit, alongside a solar energy scheme, in Bridgend county, a proposal that has prompted protests from local residents. It has since emerged that the HSE sent a letter to Bridgend council in October. This communication, dispatched just one day before a special committee was scheduled to discuss the Hybont hydrogen project plans, advised against granting hazardous substance consent on safety grounds, based on an assessment. The developer indicated that the project would “remain paused” to address the issues that have been brought forward. A section of the HSE letter stated that, following an assessment, “HSE have concluded that the risks to the surrounding population arising from the proposed operation(s) are sufficiently high to justify advising against the granting of hazardous substances consent on grounds of safety”. The developer intends to build a hydrogen production and refuelling facility at Brynmenyn Industrial Estate, which would be partially powered by a solar farm constructed at Bryncethin. Discussions with the Welsh government regarding the project’s introduction to Wales have been ongoing since 2021. A statement on the Hybont website clarified: “HSE has clarified that this is specifically regarding the arrangement and management of moveable storage containers on the site – in this case, this relates to tube-trailer lorries that will transport hydrogen off the site to customers.” The statement added: “Whilst these are being considered and addressed, all proposed site development and planning application processes will remain paused,”. It further noted: “Safety remains at the core of this project.”Therefore, we welcome this important feedback and we will be continuing to work with HSE and BCBC [the council] to ensure HyBont is delivered as an industry-leading facility.”