The collaboration establishes a flexible framework to support the expansion of the domestic green energy supply chain within the UK economy. Under the new agreement, the companies are collectively exploring a range of deployment models for future UK projects, with a particular focus on Protium’s extensive portfolio of Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR) projects.
The companies are evaluating multiple avenues for collaboration, potentially including via Hydropulse, ITM Power’s new build-own-operate subsidiary designed to deliver containerised green hydrogen plants, alongside options for Protium to directly acquire ITM’s market-leading electrolysis assets. This parallel tracking allows both parties to undertake rigorous commercial due diligence to ensure optimal project delivery, technical alignment, and value for money.
The first area of collaboration being actively explored under this framework is the flagship Cromarty Hydrogen Project in the Scottish Highlands. Recently acquired by Protium, the project successfully secured government-backed funding through Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1).
Cromarty, the 15 MW electrolyser capacity will produce circa 7 tons of green hydrogen per day (approximately 2,000 tons per annum) at peak output. The project will provide a localized, reliable energy source to decarbonise regional sectors, targeting a mixture of heavy industrial heat and power customers—many of whom are currently off the national gas grid. Phase 1 of the Cromarty project alone is estimated to create approximately 30 highly skilled local jobs and apprenticeships within the region.
Protium will remain the primary project developer, leading the design, permitting, and delivery. A Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Cromarty project is currently targeted for December 2026.
The strategic framework extends well beyond Scotland. Protium boasts a robust national development backlog, including its South Tees Net Zero hydrogen project, additional shortlisted for HAR 2 and “Pipeline” projects for HAR 3, and several unsubsidised developments across the UK. The agreement with ITM Power provides a scalable template to support these future multi-megawatt deployments as the UK transitions to a net-zero economy.
