THE UK Government has agreed to invest £4.8 million in Holyhead to pilot the production of hydrogen.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce the hydrogen hub in the area, subject to business case approvals, in his budget and with it the potential for 30 highly-skilled new green jobs.

Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie has been instrumental in securing the investment after talking to ministers and business leaders on the island over many months and making the case for Anglesey to be at the forefront of green technology.

The hydrogen production centre will be designed to produce and distribute green hydrogen made using renewables for use in HGVs, helping to decarbonise high carbon-emitting transport.

The project will develop Welsh expertise in this sector and indirectly could support 500 jobs and bring further investment into the island.

“I am beyond delighted the government is proposing to make this substantial investment in such an exciting green technology right here on Ynys Môn,” said the Conservative MP.

“I was elected on a promise to bring jobs and investment to an island hungry to be part of the green revolution this government is committed to and this is a major step forward.

“This is just the type of investment we need after years of decline and it shows that Anglesey can be right at the cutting edge of new industries going forward.

“I would like to thank the business secretary and the Chancellor for listening to my argument that Ynys Môn was the right place for this pilot to be located.

“The hope is that this island can play a big role in the UK’s ambition to be net carbon neutral by 2050. The work now starts to make sure the business case is the best it can be to make secure this investment and the jobs. I will work with everyone to make sure this happens.”

In addition, Virginia welcomed an extra £4.4 million per year from 2021/22 for the North-Wales Growth Deal. Anglesey’s tidal project Morlais is set to be a major beneficiary of this increased investment.