A FREEPORT which will serve Harwich and Felixstowe is hoping to become the "greenest in the country" after striking a deal with a clean energy firm.
Freeport East has signed a collaboration agreement with Rux Energy, an Australian-based green hydrogen storage firm.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) means both parties have committed to achieving the safe storage, distribution, and supply of low carbon hydrogen within the UK, as well as the exportation of green hydrogen across the world.
The agreement comes after Rux Energy registered its UK subsidiary Rux Energy UK, in Harwich - a first outside Australia which was facilitated by Freeport East.
Steve Beel, CEO of Freeport East said: “This latest agreement underscores our commitment to becoming the greenest freeport in the country.
“Rux Energy chose to establish its first European base in the East of England due to our support and we will continue to work closely with the team in order to meet our mutual goals.
“We are proud to be a driving force; collaborating with partners, sharing knowledge and attracting outside investors. Freeport East provides a compelling reason to invest, work, and live in East Anglia.”
Dr Jehan Kanga, founder and CEO of Rux Energy, hopes the partnership will be part of a “paradigm shift” towards a hydrogen future which will accelerate the switch away from fossil fuels for heavy vehicles, rail, aviation, marine vessels and industrial end-users.
He added: “Rux has spent the last year working closely on planning for industrial trials which commence this year.
"This for our novel hydrogen storage systems which utilize our patented advanced nanoporous materials, and pre-feasibility for scale manufacturing here in the Freeport."
Freeport East bosses also said through supporting Rux develop its technology used for real-world projects such as vessel and vehicle fuel tanks, Freeport East is “taking tangible steps” towards becoming “the UK’s centre for Green Hydrogen and accelerating decarbonisation methods”.
The MOU was singed on February, 5 during a visit to the Innovation Labs at the University of Suffolk.
The signing followed a UK visit by Rux Energy which involved meeting with a number of local stakeholders through Freeport East including supply chain partners in and around Harwich.
To find out more about Freeport East visit here.
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