The station would be one of four publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations being created in the region as part of the Tees Valley hydrogen transport hub.
Funded by the UK Government, the stations will supply airport vehicles as well as delivery trucks, vans and other vehicles fuelled by hydrogen.
Hydrogen refuelling company Element 2 is leading on the plans, with funding from the government helping to provide the infrastructure needed for the widespread use of hydrogen as a transport fuel, addressing the strong and fast-growing demand from heavy goods vehicle operators and commercial distribution fleets. Since Element 2’s inception in 2020, it has completed over 1,500 refuelling events from its refuelling sites for a range of blue-chip customers and vehicle types.
The new station, to be built on land near the former St George Hotel, will support the airport’s push to become operationally net zero by 2030.
Airport managing director Phil Forster said: “We’re all working very hard to make Teesside a modern airport pushing boundaries and making people proud. We’re flying more people to more destinations, but we’re also adding more strings to our bow, with our cargo facility, the business park, new hangars and our green energy ambitions.
“This hydrogen refuelling station is another part of that push. We’re pioneering 5G technology and now we’re pioneering clean energy fuels which will all help to boost our airport.”
Teesside Airport was home to a temporary refuelling station and secured low-emission hydrogen fuelled vehicles in 2021 – including cars, truck, forklift, van and tug – as part of a regional trial.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We were one of the first areas to trial hydrogen fuels and it’s great to see we’re still leading the charge with this new station. This hydrogen station is another step forward to supporting the cleaner, healthier and safer industries of tomorrow – and airport is leading the charge. It also adds to what we’re doing in backing the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, which is set to be bring hundreds more well-paid jobs to our region.
“The next step here is approval and I’m looking forward to seeing spades in the ground.”
Funding for the wider project comes from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.
