SH2AMROCK is a 5-year, €54-million project to build, operate, and grow Ireland’s first Green Hydrogen Valley. It incorporates all elements of the green hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to distribution and dispensing, and on to end-use in the hard-to-abate sectors. The project consortium of 28 members from 12 countries was awarded funding of €7.5 million from the EU’s Clean Hydrogen Partnership. SH2AMROCK will see green hydrogen production at Mount Lucas wind farm, in Co Offaly, transportation of the hydrogen to Galway Port, operation of Ireland’s first purpose-built hydrogen refuelling station (HRS), and use of the hydrogen to decarbonise local freight, haulage and logistics fleets, as well as city bus and intercity coach fleets. Additionally, the project will see hydrogen used to decarbonise high-temperature heat demand at a construction materials plant, and to conduct zero-emissions flight trials between Connemara and the Aran Islands. Of crucial importance, SH2AMROCK will be the seed from which a nationwide hydrogen network can grow. The project commenced in 2024 and will run for 5 years.
SH2AMROCK will deploy the following:
• Up to 4 MW electrolyser capacity at Mount Lucas Wind Farm producing at least 500 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.
• Onsite high-pressure storage and three tube trailers for a virtual pipeline from Mount Lucas to Galway Port.
• A Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS) at Galway Port.
• Three hydrogen-fuelled double deck buses, ten intercity coaches, five logistics trucks, and four vans/minibuses.
• A stationery fuel cell for combined heat and power at Galway Port.
• Decarbonisation of bitumen production in Oranmore.
• Demonstration of hydrogen-fuelled flights at Connemara Airport.
• Green hydrogen supply beyond the needs of the SH2AMROCK partners.
SH2AMROCK will be the first step in realising Ireland’s long-term hydrogen and energy ambitions. The project will deploy Ireland’s first multi-modal hydrogen transport hub to grow domestic confidence, experience, and knowhow to realise decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors, enable further cross-border energy collaboration with Northern Ireland, and unlock the island’s long-term energy-exporter position. The project is committed to building upon the work carried out by existing Irish demonstration projects, and European hydrogen valleys, to produce a scope of work that will truly enhance the domestic and international hydrogen sector. SH2AMROCK has strong linkages with all these European projects and thus has a detailed understanding of their workplans, and the current knowledge gaps that require addressing in the hydrogen sector. SH2AMROCK will build upon key aspects of these projects’ deployment scope and study work to deliver a cutting-edge innovative
