Issue - meetings

Alwen Williams (Portfolio Director) and Hedd Vaughan-Evans (Head of Operation) to present the report.

1.     To support the recommendation for the following projects:

·       HSC01 – North East Wales Hydrogen Hub (NEW – H2): To invite the project to join the North Wales Growth Deal, subject to agreeing an MOU with the project sponsor.

·       HSC03 – Project HydRive: While not inviting the project to join the Growth Deal, to support the concept and further development of the project with the PMO with a view that the project could be considered for funding through the Smart Local Energy fund once launched.

2.     To delegate authority to the Portfolio Director and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair to confirm conditions with the project sponsor of HSC01 and to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the project sponsor clarifying the requirements and expectations relating to Growth Deal Funding.

3.     To note that inviting a project to join the Growth Deal is not a decision to invest in the project. In line with the usual process to access funding, all projects will be required to produce a business case for consideration by the Board.

4.     To note that supporting the principle of project HSC03 does not provide any guarantee of funding through the alternative sources suggested. Any future application would need to be assessed on merit against the criteria set out.

The report was submitted by the Portfolio Director and Head of Operations.

RESOLVED

1.     To support the recommendation for the following projects:

·       HSC01 – North-east Wales Hydrogen Hub (NEW – H2): To invite the project to join the North Wales Growth Deal, subject to agreeing an MOU with the project sponsor.

·       HSC03 – Project HydRive: While not inviting the project to join the Growth Deal, to support the concept and further development of the project with the PMO with a view that the project could be considered for funding through the Smart Local Energy fund once launched.

2.     To delegate authority to the Portfolio Director and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair to confirm conditions with the project sponsor of HSC01 and to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the project sponsor confirming the requirements and expectations relating to Growth Deal Funding.

3.     To note that inviting a project to join the Growth Deal was not a decision to invest in the project. In line with the usual process to access funding, all projects would be required to produce a business case for consideration by the Board.

4.     It was noted that supporting the principle of project HSC03 did not provide any guarantee of funding through the alternative sources suggested. Any future application would need to be assessed on merit against the criteria set out.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

          A decision was required following the conclusion of the Hydrogen Sponsor Challenge.

DISCUSSION

The report was discussed.