New hydrogen plant planned for Ballymena as Powerhouse signs 25-year lease

Powerhouse Energy Group plc has taken a significant step towards establishing a major new clean energy facility in Ballymena after signing an agreement to lease land at Silverwood Business Park.

The AIM-listed company, which specialises in converting non-recyclable waste into low-carbon energy, confirmed it has secured a 25-year lease for a 1.98-acre serviced site at the County Antrim business park, subject to planning approval.

Under the agreement with Silverwood Business Park Ltd, Powerhouse will benefit from an initial rent-free period of up to 12 months, followed by rent reviews every five years. The lease also includes a tenant break clause on the fifth anniversary of the term.

Plans for waste-to-hydrogen plant

Powerhouse plans to build, own and operate a 40 tonnes per day (TPD) waste-to-hydrogen facility on the site. Once operational, the plant is intended to take waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill and convert it into 99.999% pure hydrogen.

The hydrogen produced could be used across a range of applications, including transport, with the company confirming that discussions are already underway on feedstock supply and offtake agreements.

The project will require planning approval from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, with Powerhouse stating that a planning application will be submitted shortly. Approval is a condition for the lease agreement to become fully effective.

Ballymena’s growing hydrogen ambition

Silverwood Business Park, Ballymena

Commenting on the agreement, Powerhouse CEO Paul Emmitt said the move underlined Ballymena’s emerging role in Northern Ireland’s hydrogen economy.

“This is a major step forward for the Company. Ballymena is set to become the Hydrogen Hub of Northern Ireland, with the organisations including Wrightbus, Translink and the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council all focused on developing the hydrogen economy in Northern Ireland.”

The announcement adds to a series of hydrogen-related developments in the town, particularly around clean transport and alternative fuels, strengthening Ballymena’s reputation as a centre for innovation in low-carbon technology.

Turning waste into clean energy

Powerhouse Energy has developed proprietary process technology capable of converting waste plastics, end-of-life tyres and other hard-to-recycle materials into syngas. From this, valuable outputs such as hydrogen, electricity, heat and chemical precursors can be produced.

According to the company, the process generates low levels of safe residues and requires a small operating footprint, making it suitable for deployment at both enterprise and community level.

Alongside its technology operations, Powerhouse also owns Engsolve Ltd, a revenue-generating engineering consultancy that provides specialist services across multiple sectors, with a focus on new technology development and clean energy solutions.

If planning permission is secured, the Ballymena facility would represent one of the most significant waste-to-hydrogen projects proposed in Northern Ireland, with potential implications for landfill reduction, clean transport fuel supply and local economic development.