A Lancashire brewery has announced plans to cut its carbon emissions by developing a green hydrogen energy production facility at its site.

The Samlesbury Net Zero Project, coupled with other initiatives, aims to help Budweiser Brewing Group’s Samlesbury brewery, which has been in operation for more than 50 years, meet its thermal demand, heating and transport needs through green hydrogen energy.

The new facility would be built next to the brewery, which lies just off the A59 between Preston and Blackburn, and would cover an area of around one-and-a-half football pitches.

A planning application for the project will be submitted this spring following consultation with neighbours, the community, and other local stakeholders.

As well as reducing the brewery’s carbon emissions, it will lead to cleaner air and reduced vehicle noise with heavy goods vehicles also being powered by hydrogen.

South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council both have an ambition for their own operations and activities to be carbon neutral by 2030, and the UK is working towards a 2050 net zero target.

Lancashire Telegraph: An aerial view of Samlesbury BreweryAn aerial view of Samlesbury Brewery (Image: Protium)

Made possible by a partnership with leading UK green hydrogen energy services company Protium, the Samlesbury Net Zero project, when operational, will save up to 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – the equivalent of taking 5,800 cars off the road.

Under the plans, Protium would fund, build, and operate the site for the brewery and is targeting the end of 2025 for it to be operational.

Luiz Brandao, head of procurement and sustainability at Budweiser Brewing Group, said: “Sustainability is core to our business at Budweiser Brewing Group as we work towards net zero ambitions. Innovative solutions like hydrogen have huge potential for reducing our carbon footprint in the UK and moving us towards our ambitious sustainability goals.”

As part of the project, Budweiser Brewing Group would also make the change to hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles which have the potential to improve local air quality and reduce vehicle noise.

Lancashire Telegraph: The brewery is owned by Budweiser Brewing GroupThe brewery is owned by Budweiser Brewing Group (Image: Samlesbury Net Zero)

Chris Jackson, CEO of Protium, added: “Samlesbury Net Zero is an investment in our environment, community, economy and our future. We’re thrilled to announce our intentions to deliver this major investment into green hydrogen energy in Lancashire.

“Working with the local community will be at the heart of this project. We want to use the local supply chain where possible and engage with the education and business communities to provide upskilling opportunities for the region in green hydrogen energy production.

“Removing carbon emissions from sectors like manufacturing is one of the biggest challenges we face in reaching net zero. Green hydrogen is the hugely exciting next step in global energy transition, happening right here in Lancashire, to drive down these emissions and futureproof our vital industries.

“This is a great opportunity for Samlesbury, South Ribble and Lancashire to take a lead in tackling the climate challenges facing us all.”