A senior delegation led by Investment Zone Minister Alex Norris MP attended a hard hat tour of the University of Nottingham’s new Hydrogen Propulsion Systems Lab last week, marking an important step in strengthening the region’s role within the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem.
The visit was attended by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands and Professor Jane Norman, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham. The visit brought together leaders from G F Tomlinson – the regional contractor delivering the scheme, the University of Nottingham and East Midlands Freeport, to highlight the progress of the laboratory and the infrastructure supporting the UK’s green industrial strategy.
The Hydrogen Propulsion Systems Lab is funded through over £70 million of investments including Research England’s flagship UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) and industry partner co-investment. Once fully operational in mid-2026, it will enable research and safe high-power testing of propulsion systems for transport industries.
Featuring cryogenic test capabilities and environmental chambers suitable for altitude testing, the facility will enable the safe high-power testing of propulsion systems using gaseous hydrogen, ammonia, and other green fuels – to support the decarbonisation of industries including aerospace, automotive, marine and power generation.
The visit coincided with the completion of EMIZ’s first intake of grantees – 15 industry university collaborations which were awarded over £500,000 in ‘fast start’ funding to accelerate clean technology innovation.
The projects were part of the first phase of the government’s £160 million ten-year commitment to positioning the East Midlands region as a hub for net zero industries and span four highlighted priority sectors for EMIZ including zero emissions propulsion, clean energy, sustainable advanced manufacturing and green construction.
Adrian Grocock, Group Managing Director for G F Tomlinson, said: “It was a privilege for our team to join Minister Alex Norris and Mayor Claire Ward on the tour to showcase the progress being made on this pioneering facility. We are proud to play a key role in delivering this landmark project that will position the University of Nottingham as a regional leader in driving economic growth through green industries and advanced manufacturing. Our longstanding relationship with the university spans over seven capital projects including the delivery of the Advanced Manufacturing Building on Derby Road, close to the new hydrogen propulsion lab site.”
Minister for Investment Zones Alex Norris MP said: ““The East Midlands has an incredible industrial history. Now we want to build an amazing future for the region, realising its potential and putting it at the heart of our mission to grow the national economy. Visiting the Hydrogen Propulsion Systems Lab construction site in Nottingham this week, I saw first-hand the amazing work already underway to build on the area’s strengths in green technology. And the East Midlands Investment Zone, backed by government funding, is supporting brilliant projects across the region, giving them the tools they need to create jobs and drive growth.”
The fast start projects were developed in partnership with researchers from the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Derby. All are designed to help companies translate cutting-edge research into commercially viable solutions with a strong emphasis on regional deployment and supply chain development.
Professor Jane Norman, President and Vice Chancellor, University of Nottingham, said: “These projects show the East Midlands at its best – bringing together ambition, research excellence, and industrial know-how to unlock new opportunities. At the University of Nottingham, we’re not just solving technical challenges, we’re helping define the region’s future. That’s what it means to be not just good at something, but good for something.”
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “The East Midlands has been a powerhouse for technological innovation in technology since the industrial revolution. As Mayor, I am honouring and building on that legacy by investing £160 million into the East Midlands Investment Zone, which is making and sustaining crucial links between research and actual business practice.
“During the first year of the programme, we have seen huge progress across growth sectors such clean energy, green construction, and sustainable manufacturing. This translates into exciting, skilled, and well-paid jobs for the people of the East Midlands.
“Today shows what is possible when government backs local organisations and give them the tools they need to succeed. This is how we make our region the best place in the UK for businesses to start, scale, and stay.”
The University of Nottingham is also leading the development of technology roadmaps for each sector, identifying areas of competitive advantage and guiding future investment decisions. These roadmaps, including focus on zero emissions propulsion and fusion, will be published in summer 2025 as part of the EMIZ Investment Strategy.
The university has worked closely with design teams, including G F Tomlinson, YMD Boon, Turner and Townsend, CPW and Derry’s, and Price & Myers to develop the forthcoming Hydrogen Propulsion Systems Lab.