City Briefs: Getech Group and Billington
Net zero technology provider Getech has announced that its subsidiary H2 Green has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Highland Council to develop and operate green hydrogen infrastructure.
The MoU means a vision to crate a regional network of green hydrogen hubs across the Scottish Highlands has been agreed, with this set to accelerate the decarbonisation of the area – the largest administrative unit in the UK.
As part of the MoU the Highland Council will contribute £100,000 to the cost of this initial work, with the decarbonisation plan being delivered under a joint venture agreement which is currently being negotiated.
Getech’s CEO Dr Jonathan Copus called the Mo U a “significant milestone” in the Leeds-based company’s plan to establish a world-class regional hydrogen network in the Highlands.
Adding: “At the core of this network is our first planned hydrogen hub with SGN Commercial Services located in Inverness, which will service large-volume customers. In line with these goals, we have already announced agreements with Eversholt Rail to accelerate the wide-scale deployment of their hydrogen-powered trains on the Far North and West Highland Lines of Scotland.
“These activities combined with the Highland Council initiative are set to establish the Highlands as the leading UK-centre for decarbonisation and innovation; they will also support job creation, deliver energy security and provide a sustainable path for the region’s net zero transition.”
Leader of the Highland Council, councillor Margaret Davidson, said: “The planned work has the potential to establish the Highlands as a leading innovation centre for the decarbonisation of commercial transport. We see this as an important opportunity to attract external investment into the region, providing additional jobs and supply chain developments that will accelerate the net zero transition.”
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Structural steel and construction safety business Billington Holdings has set up a new subsidiary, Specialist Protective Coatings.
The new arm of the Wombwell-based company will focus on the surface preparation and application of protective coatings for products across a range of sectors including rail, highways, defence, petrochemical, energy, structural steel and infrastructure.
The move follows Billington’s acquisition of the trading assets of Sheffield firm Ormac Coatings in January, out of administration.
Mark Smith, CEO of Billington, said: “It is an exciting period for Billington and we believe the addition of Specialist Protective Coatings will further strengthen the Group’s market position through increased capabilities and product offerings.”
