WATCH: Belfast to get new hydrogen-powered buses

By Grainne Connolly

The new owner of Wrightbus says he wants to see Northern Ireland - develop its own hydrogen economy.

It comes on the back of the news, that Belfast will receive Ireland’s first ever hydrogen powered double decker buses by the end of the year. 

Translink, Energia Group and Wrightbus are collaborating on the £4 million investment with support from the Department for Infrastructure and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

It marks an innovative partnership between the private and public sectors to combat climate change and improve air quality recognised as the greatest environmental health risk in the UK.

Translink has signed a contract with Energia Group for the supply of renewably-sourced hydrogen fuel from an on-shore North Antrim windfarm and a contract with Wrightbus who will supply three new sustainable fuel cell electric double-decker buses powered by hydrogen.

 The pilot project will also deliver the first ever Hydrogen refuelling station of its kind in Ireland.

Jo Bamford of Wrightbus has welcomed the news: 

🎥 Joe Bamford,owner of Wrightbus, has signed a contract with @Translink_NI to build new hydrogen fuelled buses,the first of their kind in Ireland. He says hydrogen is one of the zero emissions solutions of the future. Also says the firm is doing well since taking over last year. pic.twitter.com/ks7RPGUVx6

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 29, 2020

The deal is a collaboration with wind farm operator Energia Group and Ballymena based firm Wrightbus.

🎥 Energia Group CEO Ian Thom explains the science behind @Translink_NI new hydrogen fuelled buses which are expected to be on our streets by the end of this year. @GroupEnergia pic.twitter.com/Jmg7CIHkwj

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 29, 2020

Three new hydrogen fuelled buses will only emit water from their exhausts, in a bid to de-carbonise public transport. 

Translink's Chris Conway says it's a big step:

🎥Belfast is set to receive Ireland’s first ever hydrogen fuelled double decker buses by the end of this year. @Translink_NI has signed a contract with windfarm operator Energia Group and Ballymena based firm Wrightbus to develop the vehicles. Here’s Chris Conway from Translink: pic.twitter.com/CF4IoC910m

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 29, 2020

 (Ian Thom, Energia Group Chief Executive; Nichola Mallon MLA, Minister for Infrastructure; Jo Bamford, Wrightbus Chairman; and Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, pictured at today’s contract announcement)

Speaking at the contract signing in Translink’s Milewater Service Centre, North Belfast, Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon said:  

“My role as Infrastructure Minister is to transform people’s lives, better connect communities across the island, ensure we have a thriving balanced economy and play our part in tackling the climate emergency.

"We cannot do that without changing how we as individuals travel and in government focusing on a low carbon future where we make low emission public transport accessible to people and communities across Northern Ireland.”

“Along with other Executive Colleagues, I have a responsibility to this generation of young people and the next generation who will live with the consequences of the climate crisis.

"That means taking action now, being ambitious despite the challenges we face and working together across the government and private sector to drive the innovative solutions that will be needed. That is exactly what this exciting pilot does.

"It represents a significant first step to tackling the climate emergency we face and demonstrates how working together and as individuals we can play our part in delivering the ambitions of the Northern Ireland Executive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.”