ITM Power and Protium Green Solutions have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the development of industrial-scale green hydrogen projects across the United Kingdom, marking a significant step forward for the country’s emerging hydrogen economy.
The agreement, announced on 3 June 2026, will see the two companies collaborate on the development, financing, investment and operation of green hydrogen facilities. The partnership is designed to move beyond a traditional supplier-customer relationship, creating a framework through which both organisations can jointly deliver hydrogen projects at scale.
The first project to be advanced under the partnership is the Cromarty Hydrogen Project in the Scottish Highlands. Acquired by Protium earlier this year, the development is expected to feature a 15MW electrolyser capable of producing approximately seven tonnes of green hydrogen per day. The project has already secured support through the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1) programme and is targeting a Final Investment Decision (FID) by December 2026.
Under the proposed structure, Protium will lead on power procurement, planning and permitting activities, downstream infrastructure and hydrogen distribution. ITM Power, one of the UK’s leading electrolyser manufacturers, will contribute its electrolysis technology and project delivery expertise. The companies are also exploring a range of commercial models, including direct equipment supply, deployment through ITM’s build-own-operate subsidiary Hydropulse, and potential co-investment opportunities.
Commenting on the agreement, ITM Power Chief Executive Dennis Schulz said the partnership would combine the strengths of both organisations across the full hydrogen value chain.
“By working alongside Protium in a framework ranging from equipment supply to investment, we are bringing together our complementary expertise,” he said. “Together, we can deliver highly competitive hydrogen with strong long-term economics and help accelerate the UK hydrogen market.”
The announcement is particularly noteworthy for ITM Power, as it reflects the company’s continued evolution beyond its traditional role as a technology supplier. By participating more directly in project ownership and operation, ITM could gain access to additional revenue streams while strengthening its position within the rapidly expanding hydrogen value chain.
For Protium, the partnership provides access to proven electrolyser technology and a strategic collaborator capable of supporting the delivery of large-scale hydrogen infrastructure. The arrangement also creates a pathway for future projects within Protium’s development portfolio to utilise ITM technology and expertise.
Christopher Jackson, Founder and Chief Executive of Protium, described the collaboration as bringing together “two of the UK’s best-in-class hydrogen businesses” and said the partnership offered customers a compelling proposition as demand for low-carbon energy solutions grows.
“Reliability, affordability and scalability with no compromises and no carbon emissions,” Jackson said. “This is how we move the UK hydrogen economy from concept to reality.”
Industry observers have welcomed the agreement as a positive development for the UK’s green hydrogen sector. The partnership is expected to help create a pipeline of future projects while supporting the Government’s ambitions to increase domestic hydrogen production and reduce industrial carbon emissions.
Should the Cromarty Hydrogen Project reach its planned investment decision later this year, it could become one of the most prominent green hydrogen developments in the UK. The project is expected to create around 30 skilled jobs and apprenticeships during its first phase and could serve as a blueprint for similar hydrogen schemes across the country.
As the UK seeks to establish itself as a leader in low-carbon hydrogen production, the collaboration between ITM Power and Protium represents a notable example of technology providers and project developers working together to accelerate commercial deployment. The key milestone now will be the December 2026 investment decision, which will determine whether the partnership begins translating strategic ambition into operational hydrogen assets.
