Construction is in its advanced stages on Pioneer 2, Protium’s second green hydrogen production facility. Located in South Wales, this facility represents a 25x increase in our green hydrogen production capacity.
When operational in early 2026, Pioneer 2 will be one of Wales’s largest electrolysers and among the UK’s most advanced PEM systems. We’re building the infrastructure the UK needs to scale green hydrogen.
What is Pioneer 2?
Technical Specifications
At the core of Pioneer 2 is a 2.5 MWe Nel PEM electrolyser. This system will produce up to 1 tonne of green hydrogen per day. To put that in perspective, this will be 25 times what Pioneer 1 produces.
The facility uses a containerised system. This modular approach means faster deployment and easier scaling as demand grows. We can expand capacity without the lengthy timelines of traditional infrastructure builds.
Why PEM Technology Matters
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis produces high-purity hydrogen from water using renewable electricity. While several electrolyser technologies exist, PEM offers specific advantages for Pioneer 2’s applications.
Key Advantages of PEM Technology
High-purity output. PEM electrolysers produce hydrogen at over 99.99% purity. This is essential for fuel cell vehicles and sensitive industrial processes. No additional purification needed.
Rapid response to renewables. PEM systems respond to power fluctuations within minutes, not hours. This makes them perfect for pairing with intermittent renewables like wind and solar. It also enables grid balancing services.
Compact, modular design. PEM systems have a smaller footprint than alkaline electrolysers of equivalent capacity. The containerised design means faster deployment and simpler scaling.
Grid balancing capability. PEM technology’s dynamic response makes it ideal for absorbing excess renewable energy. When wind or solar generation exceeds demand, that excess energy is converted into storable hydrogen rather than curtailed.
These aren’t just technical specifications. They are practical advantages that improve customer service and make better use of the UK’s growing renewable capacity.
Protium is Addressing the UK’s Green Hydrogen Supply Gap
Pioneer 1 became operational in March 2023. Over nearly three years of operation, we’ve supplied green hydrogen for fleet trials, off-grid power, and customer projects across the UK.
The facility proved something critical. Demand exists. Businesses want green hydrogen. Transport operators need it. Industrial sites are ready to switch. The constraint isn’t willingness or feasibility. The constraint is supply.
Demand for green hydrogen is growing rapidly. Businesses are ready to switch to transport, heat, and industrial processes. But they can’t access it. Supply has become the bottleneck limiting UK green hydrogen growth.
Protium is directly addressing this. Pioneer 2 isn’t just an expansion. It’s our response to proven market demand. Customer commitments for Pioneer 2 were secured before construction even began. That’s validation that supply is the real constraint.
While many green hydrogen projects remain on drawing boards, we’re building, commissioning, and supplying.
What Industries is Pioneer 2 Relevant To?
South Wales offers significant advantages for this facility. Strong renewable energy resources, established industrial infrastructure, and proximity to customers across the M4 corridor. The nation’s commitment to decarbonisation makes it well-suited to scale green hydrogen production.
Pioneer 2 serves beyond South Wales. Its strategic position on the M4 corridor enables efficient delivery of green hydrogen to customers across South Wales and into South West England. This includes major industrial sites, logistics hubs, and transport operators across a wider economic region.
Who Will Use Pioneer 2’s Green Hydrogen
Pioneer 2 will supply green hydrogen across multiple sectors where electrification alone isn’t viable.
Transport: Hydrogen fuel cells support rail, aviation, vans, taxis, buses, and commercial fleets, particularly for long-haul routes where battery range limits operations.
Industrial: Manufacturing sites requiring high-temperature heat can switch from natural gas to hydrogen. Hydrogen-powered construction equipment eliminates diesel emissions while maintaining the power density required for heavy machinery.
Off-Grid Power: Data centres, events, film production, and temporary installations benefit from hydrogen generators providing primary and backup power with zero on-site emissions.
Aviation and Specialist Applications: Protium supplies hydrogen for aviation fuel development with partners including OXCCU, and supports municipal fleet initiatives and regional sustainability programmes.
The diversity of applications demonstrates hydrogen’s versatility as an enabling technology for widespread decarbonisation.
Why Pioneer 2 Matters
Pioneer 2 represents a transformative step in UK green hydrogen infrastructure. Here’s what this facility delivers:
Proven delivery. It demonstrates Protium’s ability to move from planning to construction to operation within realistic timescales.
Scalable model. Learnings from Pioneer 1 and Pioneer 2 inform larger projects in our pipeline.
Building supply. Every megawatt we bring online reduces the supply constraint limiting UK green hydrogen adoption.Customer confidence. Operating facilities prove to our customers that green hydrogen supply is real and reliable, not theoretical.
A Key Milestone for UK Green Hydrogen
Chris Jackson, CEO and Founder of Protium, comments on Pioneer 2’s significance:
“Pioneer 2 is a key milestone for Protium and for UK green hydrogen. For the company, this represents a 25x increase in our existing green hydrogen production capacity, and for our customers, it means Protium will be able to support larger volumes of green hydrogen and a greater variety of storage products than ever before.
“Having operated Pioneer 1 for nearly three years, we’ve seen the demand in the market for available green hydrogen, and we know that supply is now the constraint on further UK green hydrogen demand growth. That’s why we are proud to be leading the way, supporting our customers in South Wales and beyond in their net zero journey.”
What’s Next
Pioneer 2 is on track for commercial operations in early 2026. Here’s where we are and what’s coming:
Current status (February 2026). Construction is progressing rapidly. All major equipment is on site. We’re moving toward system integration and commissioning, scheduled to begin in March.
Commercial operations. Full commercial operations begin this year, with green hydrogen available for delivery to customers across multiple storage and dispensing formats.
Strategic importance. This is a significant step for UK green hydrogen infrastructure and the energy transition. Pioneer 2 demonstrates that large-scale green hydrogen production is commercially viable, technically proven, and ready for deployment.
Interested in how Pioneer 2 can supply green hydrogen to your business?
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Join the growing number of UK organisations adopting green hydrogen energy solutions with Protium. Together, we can power a cleaner, more resilient future.