The UK's first hydrogen-powered ferry, set to run in Bristol's harbour this summer, will stimulate enterprise in new technologies in the city.

Bristol Hydrogen Boats - a consortium formed between No 7 Boat Trips, the Bristol Packet, and Auriga Energy Ltd - will showcase the hydrogen-fuelled ferry for six months from June 2011.

A local boat builder will be contracted to build a ferry to the consortium’s design. Auriga Energy has developed the fuel cell system that will be integrated into the boat. Air Products will supply the hydrogen fuel and the dockside refuelling rig.

Clean and green, the ferry will carry up to 12 passengers per journey in order to demonstrate the commercial advantages of this technology to business, residents, commuters and tourists.

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As an alternative to petrol and diesel engines, hydrogen powered transport impacts significantly less on the environment as they produce zero direct emissions: the only waste product is water. This would mean a big reduction in air and water pollution, in addition to reduced noise, in the harbour if the technology was widely adopted in the future.

Other European cities are running or planning to introduce hydrogen-powered ferries, but here in Bristol the project is seen as an important contributor to the development of the city's economy. As an environmental technology it is linked to one of Bristol’s five priority high growth sectors, which are key to the city's ambitions to create a long term, sustainable, prosperous and productive economy.

Councillor Neil Harrison, Assistant Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: "This project is innovative for Bristol, and innovation brings growth. The initial £225,000 investment that this project will cost is pump-priming. This project will help kick start enterprise in new environmental technology and new areas of economic growth in Bristol providing investment and more jobs for local people in the technologies of the future."

(CD/GK)