Budweiser Brewing Group has teamed up with Protium to develop a green hydrogen energy production facility in Lancashire.

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

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.

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. This is equivalent to taking 5,800 cars off the road, offsetting the emissions of 11,156 London to New York return flights, or planting 440,000 trees.

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

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

Minister for Investment Lord Johnson said: "This government is committed to maximising the opportunities a shift to net-zero can bring to the UK, something that's been echoed in the British Energy Strategy.

"Announcements like this promote the Strategy, such as its target to support over 450,000 clean jobs by the end of the decade. I look forward to working with companies like Budweiser and Protium to work towards a cleaner, greener future."

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.