Protium, one of the UK's leading green hydrogen energy companies, has entered into a strategic partnership with Canford Renewable Energy (CRE) to jointly operate the South Coast Hydrogen Facility in Dorset.

The deal positions Protium as the lead operator for all sales, fulfillment, and customer contract management at the site, while CRE retains responsibility for the underlying infrastructure and renewable energy generation.

A Production Facility With Round-the-Clock Output

The South Coast Hydrogen Facility adds more than 350 kilograms per day of green hydrogen production to Protium's existing portfolio, translating to over 120 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

A feature that distinguishes the facility from many peers in the sector is its ability to maintain continuous output. The site combines solar power with landfill gas backup, enabling 24-hour production rather than the intermittent generation that has limited other hydrogen projects.

This resilience has been cited by both companies as central to the commercial proposition being offered to industrial and transport customers. Hydrogen produced at the facility is delivered using Protium's fleet of Multi-Element Gas Containers (MEGCs), mobile tube trailers (MTs), and mobile compression packages (MCPs), providing what the companies describe as a complete production-to-pump solution.

Protium's Expanding Network

The Dorset facility's integration into Protium's operations brings the company's total infrastructure to three production sites, four distribution hubs, and more than 100 distribution assets.

Rather than treating each facility as a standalone location, Protium operates what it describes as a network-based approach, connecting multiple sites to reduce the delivered cost of hydrogen and to guarantee supply continuity for customers.

The partnership is effective immediately, with Protium stating it is already online and ready to supply MEGCs of green hydrogen from the South Coast Hydrogen Facility.

The company says its connected hub strategy is designed to address longstanding industry concerns around security of supply, an issue that has previously slowed adoption among industrial buyers.

Financial Incentives for Fleet Operators

A notable commercial element of the partnership involves Renewable Transport Fuel Certificate (RTFC) benefits available to transport customers. Protium says its integrated model delivers pricing that is equivalent to, or more competitive than, traditional Hydrogen Aggregation Allocation (HAR) pricing models.

The company argues this creates a tangible financial incentive for fleet operators considering a transition to zero-emission fuel, removing one of the primary barriers that has held back wider hydrogen adoption in the transport sector.

Service Offering and Customer Management

Under the terms of the partnership, Protium takes on a comprehensive service package that spans logistics and on-site gas management, covering end-to-end delivery and last-mile logistics.

The company will also offer Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), a system under which Protium monitors hydrogen levels and manages technical connections at customer offtake points, relieving buyers of the operational burden of tracking their own fuel stocks.

A third component covers infrastructure integration, ensuring seamless management of on-site gas requirements to maintain operational continuity for customers.

Executives Outline Strategic Vision

Jon Constable, Chief Operating Officer at Protium, characterised the agreement as a significant step in the company's broader decarbonisation mission. "By integrating the South Coast Hydrogen Facility into our connected network, we are providing real-world delivery capability.

We are no longer just talking about the future of hydrogen; we are delivering it at scale, with the reliability that industrial and transport customers demand," Constable said. Nathan Ross, Managing Director at Canford Renewable Energy, pointed to the complementary expertise each company brings to the arrangement.

"Our collaboration with Protium ensures that the South Coast Hydrogen Facility reaches its full potential. Their expertise in sales and fulfilment, combined with our expertise in hydrogen production, renewable energy generation, and strategic local infrastructure, creates a powerhouse for green energy in the South West," Ross said.

Regional Decarbonisation and Local Funding

Both companies have framed the partnership within a broader ambition to make the South of England and Wales a significant contributor to the UK's hydrogen economy. CRE, which has been operating a renewable energy site in Poole, Dorset for 30 years, provides what the companies describe as strategic positioning in the region.

Protium, in turn, brings the operational scale needed to service industrial-grade demand and to push capacity beyond current levels. The South Coast Hydrogen Facility has received public funding support.

The project was partly funded by a loan from the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership's Growing Places Fund and a grant from Dorset Council's Low Carbon Dorset programme, indicating that the facility has attracted backing from regional economic development bodies alongside private investment.

Blueprint for UK Hydrogen Expansion

Protium and CRE have described the South Coast Hydrogen Facility not only as a standalone commercial venture but as a model intended to be replicated elsewhere across the United Kingdom.

By moving from localised pilot projects to what they characterise as a resilient, interconnected network, the two companies say they are providing the commercial certainty that industries need before committing to hydrogen at scale.

The partnership covers industrial customers across sectors including construction, manufacturing, transport, and operations, aligning with Protium's stated focus on replacing fossil fuels across those segments.

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