A major hydrogen showcase at the Port of Tilbury has brought together leading names from across the construction and energy supply chain, offering a clear view of how low carbon technologies are beginning to move into practical use.
Held on 30 April at the London International Cruise Terminal, the event was hosted by the Port of Tilbury alongside Toyota and GeoPura. More than 100 delegates attended, with the arrival of the Energy Observer — the world’s first self-sufficient, hydrogen-powered vessel — providing a focal point for the day’s activity.
Delivered in collaboration with partners including the Lower Thames Crossing, Briggs Equipment UK, ULEMCO, TCP, Fuel Cell Systems, Intelligent Energy and HYKIT, the showcase brought together industry representatives, technology providers and policymakers to demonstrate how hydrogen can be produced, stored and used across construction and infrastructure projects.
At the centre of the development is an on-site green hydrogen production facility at Tilbury. The site is being developed to supply hydrogen locally, with a focus on industrial users and major infrastructure activity in the surrounding area. The initiative is also linked to National Highways’ Lower Thames Crossing, where hydrogen-powered generators and equipment are being introduced to reduce diesel use during construction.
For CEA (Construction Equipment Association) members, the showcase highlights both opportunity and capability within the UK supply chain. JCB, a CEA member, continues to develop hydrogen combustion engine technology for construction equipment, while CEA members ULEMCO and TCP are focused on hydrogen-powered and dual-fuel solutions for plant and off-grid applications. Together, these approaches reflect the range of options being developed across the sector
The role of contractors in adopting these technologies was also evident. Flannery Plant Hire supported the event with a dual-fuel 20-tonne-class excavator, retrofitted with ULEMCO technology to operate on a combination of diesel and hydrogen. The machine can also run on diesel alone when hydrogen supply is unavailable, offering flexibility as infrastructure continues to develop.
The event reinforced the importance of collaboration between equipment manufacturers, energy providers and contractors. On-site demonstrations showed how hydrogen production, refuelling infrastructure, and powered equipment can operate together in a working environment. This wider ecosystem is also reflected in projects such as the Element 1 programme, where companies including Plantforce are working alongside BAM and Skanska to develop and trial hydrogen-powered equipment for use on major infrastructure schemes.
Viki Bell, CEO of CEA (Construction Equipment Association), said:
“What we are seeing at Tilbury is a practical example of how alternative fuels are starting to be applied on site. For our members, it shows that progress is moving beyond early trials and into real use. The involvement of companies such as JCB and ULEMCO reflects the strength of UK engineering and the different routes being taken to reduce emissions across construction equipment. The focus now needs to be on ensuring the infrastructure and support are in place to enable wider adoption.”
As the industry responds to decarbonisation targets, the Tilbury showcase shows how hydrogen is being integrated into construction, with CEA members contributing to its development and use.
Picture credit: GeoPura
