World’s largest electrolyser to be housed in new 134,000 sq ft facility
A listed energy storage and clean fuel company will lease a property in Sheffield to establish its global manufacturing HQ.
ITM Power has signed an agreement to lease a new build development of 134,000 sq ft at PLP Bessemer Park. The manufacturing facility will have an electrolyser manufacturing capacity of up to 1,000 MW per year, the largest in the world.
PLP Bessemer Park, a 50-acre site, is being developed by PLP which is a specialist UK logistics and industrial property business. ITM Power expects to occupy its new building from March 2020. It predicts it should complete its own technical fit out and shift the majority of its operations to the premises by summer of next year.
The development will include capacity for 140 office-based staff and will accommodate a large production and after sales support workforce.
Dr Graham Cooley, CEO at ITM Power, said: “The move to larger premises and the design of our new manufacturing and testing process has taken some time.
“I am delighted to be able to announce this key milestone in the project and I do so with confidence that ITM Power and its advisors have done a thorough job in selecting the right premises. The detailed planning that has taken place will pay dividends as we transition our activities to PLP Bessemer Park from the New Year.”
Neil Dickinson, Chief Investment Officer at PLP, said: “This leasing deal with ITM Power is another example of PLP’s capability in delivering high quality industrial units in strategic locations across the UK. We are looking forward to welcoming ITM Power to PLP Bessemer Park.”
ITM said the need to expand its production capacity has been led by the continued growth in its order pipeline.
The new headquarters will give it access to a five-fold increase in production space. Key to the selection of the building was the close proximity of the grid connection, to provide the substantial power supply required for ITM Power’s demands.
The business added that an important part of its strategy involves reducing the cost of its product through standardisation, process development and production volume. Key to this is the adoption of semi-automated manufacturing equipment for repeat components.
These machines have required significant upfront engineering and verification work as part of an integrated manufacturing system. ITM said the planning behind this had been underway for some time and continued in parallel to the search for the right new building.
ITM has also announced a senior production appointment – Grant Teagle has become Master Production Scheduler. He brings significant experience in manufacturing, including change management and driving complex projects in production.
