ITM Power has signed a strategic partnership with Protium Green Solutions to develop, fund and operate industrial-scale green hydrogen plants across the UK.
ITM said the Cromarty project is the immediate focus. Recently acquired by Protium, the project secured government-backed funding through Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 and will run a 15 MW electrolyser producing around 7 tonnes of green hydrogen a day at peak.
The output is aimed at heavy industrial heat-and-power customers in the region, many of whom are off the national gas grid and short of clean alternatives.
Dennis Schulz, CEO of ITM Power, said: “By working alongside Protium in a framework ranging from equipment supply to investment, we are bringing together our complementary expertise. Together, we can deliver highly competitive hydrogen with strong long-term economics and help accelerate the UK hydrogen market.”
Protium will lead as primary developer, handling power procurement, permitting, downstream infrastructure and distribution, with a final investment decision targeted for December 2026.
The companies haven’t set out an exact framework for the ongoing relationship, but are exploring options, including working through ITM’s build-own-operate subsidiary, Hydropulse, which delivers containerised hydrogen plants, as well as Protium buying ITM’s electrolysis assets outright.
Whichever options they choose, today’s announcement is another step forward for ITM Power as it expands its base of partnerships.
In April, ITM entered a strategic collaboration with German defence group Rheinmetall on its Giga PtX project, an ambitious plan to build a Europe-wide network of decentralised synthetic fuel plants for NATO forces.
ITM Power shares were 4% higher on Wednesday and are 200% higher on the year.