GeoPura Secures Record Hydrogen Deal for Lower Thames Crossing

GeoPura wins 2,500-tonne hydrogen contract for Lower Thames Crossing

UK hydrogen supplier GeoPura has secured a contract to deliver 2,500 tonnes of green hydrogen to National Highways’ Lower Thames Crossing project. The deal represents the largest hydrogen supply agreement ever signed for a British construction scheme. It will enable the crossing to become the first major UK infrastructure project to achieve carbon neutrality during its construction phase.

The announcement, made on 23 February 2026, marks a significant milestone for both the construction sector and Britain’s hydrogen industry. National Highways awarded the contract as part of its commitment to deliver the Lower Thames Crossing with minimal environmental impact. GeoPura will provide a managed service covering storage, distribution and on-site deployment throughout the main construction period.

Six GeoPura hydrogen generators are already operational in Essex, charging electric construction machinery with zero direct emissions. Last year, the project deployed the world’s first commercial JCB hydrogen digger for survey work in Kent. These early installations have provided proof of concept ahead of the main construction phase.

Lower Thames Crossing project targets zero carbon construction

The Lower Thames Crossing will create a 14.5-mile dual carriageway connecting Kent and Essex beneath the River Thames. Designed to relieve chronic congestion on the Dartford Crossing, the scheme prioritizes environmental performance alongside transport capacity. National Highways has committed to carbon-neutral construction across the entire build.

Replacing diesel generators and machinery with hydrogen-powered alternatives will eliminate over 12 million litres of diesel consumption during construction. Consequently, the project will avoid approximately 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This reduction equals the annual emissions of around 6,500 passenger cars.

Matt Palmer, Executive Director for Lower Thames Crossing, confirmed the project’s environmental ambition. He stated that replacing diesel with domestically produced hydrogen would reduce the scheme’s carbon footprint while helping to decarbonize the wider construction sector. In addition, the contract would support new jobs and skills in clean energy across British businesses.

GeoPura scales production from former coal power station

Founded in 2019, GeoPura produces green hydrogen through electrolysis powered entirely by renewable electricity. The company operates production sites across the UK, including its flagship HyMarnham Power facility in Nottinghamshire. Built on the site of a former coal-fired power station, the facility received government HAR1 funding to support its development.

GeoPura now employs over 170 people, many of whom previously worked in fossil fuel industries. The Lower Thames Crossing contract is expected to drive further recruitment as production scales to meet delivery commitments. Andrew Cunningham, GeoPura’s CEO, described the deal as strengthening Britain’s hydrogen supply chain while improving price efficiency and creating domestic jobs.

The company’s model combines hydrogen production with logistics and on-site equipment management. This approach allows construction projects to adopt hydrogen without developing their own infrastructure or operational expertise. For National Highways, GeoPura will handle transportation, storage and day-to-day fuel management across multiple sites throughout the construction timeline.

Government backs hydrogen for infrastructure and industry

Minister for Industry Chris McDonald highlighted the contract as evidence that clean energy and major infrastructure projects can work together effectively. He emphasized hydrogen’s role in the government’s industrial strategy, noting that flagship projects from Nottinghamshire to Kent would power developments across the country sustainably.

The government has identified hydrogen as a priority fuel for decarbonizing heavy industry, transport and construction. These sectors remain challenging to electrify directly because of their high energy demands and the weight limitations of battery systems. Hydrogen offers comparable energy density to diesel while producing only water vapor when used in fuel cells.

Britain’s hydrogen strategy aims to establish domestic production capacity and supply chains ahead of anticipated demand growth. The strategy includes financial support for early adopters and infrastructure development. Projects like the Lower Thames Crossing provide crucial commercial scale demonstrations that can inform future policy and investment decisions.

What this means for construction companies and suppliers

National Highways’ decision sets a clear precedent for future infrastructure tenders. Other public sector clients are likely to introduce similar carbon neutrality requirements as net-zero targets approach. Construction firms and plant operators will need to demonstrate low-carbon delivery capabilities to remain competitive for major contracts.

For businesses currently reliant on diesel plant and machinery, the transition will require both capital investment and operational changes. However, managed service models like GeoPura’s reduce the upfront burden. Contractors can access hydrogen power without purchasing new equipment or building their own fueling infrastructure. This approach lowers financial barriers while allowing companies to test hydrogen viability on real projects.

Supply chain implications extend beyond on-site construction. Logistics companies will need hydrogen transport capabilities. Equipment manufacturers must scale production of hydrogen-compatible machinery. Training providers face demand for new skills in hydrogen handling, safety and maintenance. These requirements create business opportunities alongside compliance pressures.

Procurement frameworks are already adapting. PPN 06/21 requires central government suppliers to publish carbon reduction plans and commit to net zero by 2050. Many public sector bodies have extended these requirements to their own supply chains. For construction businesses bidding on infrastructure work, demonstrating credible decarbonization plans has become essential rather than optional.

The cost differential between hydrogen and diesel remains a consideration. Green hydrogen currently costs more than diesel on a per-unit energy basis. Nevertheless, the gap is narrowing as renewable electricity prices fall and production scales up. For projects with carbon neutrality requirements, the comparison becomes moot. Meeting contract specifications requires lower-carbon alternatives regardless of cost premiums.

Construction sector emissions and decarbonization challenges

UK construction accounts for approximately 10% of national carbon emissions when both operational and embodied carbon are included. On-site diesel consumption represents a significant portion of this total. Mobile plant, generators and heating equipment burn substantial volumes of fuel across large infrastructure schemes. A single major project can consume millions of liters annually.

Electrification offers one decarbonization pathway, but faces practical constraints. Battery-powered machinery has limited operating duration and requires frequent charging. On remote or temporary sites, grid connections may be unavailable or prohibitively expensive to install. Weight and power requirements for heavy earthmoving equipment push battery technology toward its current limits.

Hydrogen addresses several of these constraints. Refueling takes minutes rather than hours. Equipment can operate continuously with appropriate fuel logistics. Power-to-weight ratios match or exceed diesel performance. For heavy machinery operating in locations without reliable grid access, hydrogen provides a more practical alternative to batteries.

However, adoption faces its own barriers. Hydrogen requires different safety protocols than diesel or batteries. Existing machinery needs retrofitting or replacement. Fuel supply chains remain underdeveloped compared to diesel distribution networks. The Lower Thames Crossing contract demonstrates how managed service models can overcome these barriers at scale.

Key facts about the GeoPura and Lower Thames Crossing hydrogen contract

• GeoPura will supply 2,500 tonnes of green hydrogen throughout the main construction phase of the Lower Thames Crossing project, the largest single hydrogen contract for UK construction to date.
• The hydrogen will replace over 12 million liters of diesel, preventing approximately 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions during the build.
• Six GeoPura hydrogen generators are already operational in Essex, charging electric construction machinery without direct emissions at the point of use.
• GeoPura produces hydrogen at its HyMarnham Power facility in Nottinghamshire, built on the site of a former coal-fired power station with government HAR1 funding support.
• The contract includes managed services for storage, distribution and on-site deployment, removing the need for National Highways to develop its own hydrogen infrastructure.
• The Lower Thames Crossing will become the first major UK infrastructure project to achieve carbon neutrality during construction, potentially setting expectations for future public sector schemes.

What construction businesses should consider now

Companies working in infrastructure should evaluate their decarbonization capabilities against emerging tender requirements. National Highways’ decision signals that carbon neutrality commitments are moving from aspiration to contract specification. Businesses without credible low-carbon delivery options may find themselves excluded from major opportunities.

Start by assessing current diesel consumption across typical projects. Identify where hydrogen could replace fossil fuels without compromising productivity. Consider whether managed service providers offer viable alternatives to capital-intensive equipment purchases. Many firms find that outsourcing hydrogen supply and equipment reduces risk during the transition period.

Training and skills development warrant early attention. Hydrogen requires different handling procedures than diesel. Safety protocols must be updated and workforce competencies built. These changes take time to implement effectively. Organizations that invest in hydrogen capabilities now will be better positioned when client requirements become standard rather than exceptional.

For businesses working in public sector supply chains, carbon reporting and reduction planning have become mandatory under procurement policy. Understanding Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions allows accurate baseline measurement. From that foundation, realistic reduction targets and delivery plans can be developed. Documentation requirements continue to increase as government net-zero commitments approach.

Smaller suppliers and subcontractors face particular challenges. Large infrastructure clients increasingly expect their entire supply chain to demonstrate environmental performance. This expectation flows down from main contractors to specialists and plant hirers. Businesses that develop hydrogen capabilities or other low-carbon alternatives will differentiate themselves as client requirements tighten.

How hydrogen supply chains are developing across the UK

Britain’s hydrogen industry remains at an early stage compared to established fuel sectors. However, production capacity is growing rapidly. Government support schemes including HAR1 funding have enabled facilities like GeoPura’s Nottinghamshire plant. Additional production sites are under development across England, Scotland and Wales.

Most current UK production uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. This process creates green hydrogen with minimal carbon footprint when powered by wind, solar or other renewable sources. Alternative production methods exist, including steam methane reforming with carbon capture, but green hydrogen offers the clearest environmental credentials.

Distribution infrastructure lags behind production capacity. Hydrogen requires specialized transport and storage compared to liquid fuels. Road tankers, pipelines and on-site storage tanks need different materials and safety systems. Investment in this infrastructure is accelerating but remains concentrated in industrial clusters and early-adopter regions.

For construction projects, managed service models solve many logistical challenges. Suppliers like GeoPura handle production, transport, storage and on-site equipment. This approach allows projects to adopt hydrogen without building their own distribution networks. As the market matures, infrastructure availability will improve and costs should decline.

Regional variations in hydrogen availability will influence adoption patterns in the near term. Projects in areas with established production facilities and logistics networks will find transition easier than those in less developed regions. Nevertheless, the Lower Thames Crossing demonstrates that large-scale deployment is achievable even where infrastructure is still developing.

Further information and official sources

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes the government’s hydrogen strategy and policy updates. Their guidance explains support schemes, safety regulations and industry development plans. Visit the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero website for current policy information.

National Highways provides detailed information about the Lower Thames Crossing project, including environmental commitments and construction timelines. The Lower Thames Crossing project page offers updates as the scheme progresses.

For businesses exploring hydrogen adoption, the Hydrogen UK industry body offers technical guidance and market intelligence. Their resources cover safety standards, equipment specifications and supply chain development. Additional support for carbon reduction planning and net-zero compliance helps businesses meet procurement requirements and tender specifications across public and private sector contracts.