LISTEN - £11.2m invested into hydrogen fuelled cell buses in Ballymena

By Q Radio News

Unite Regional Officer, George Brash, welcomed today’s announcement that Wrightbus in Ballymena would be one of three beneficiaries for state funding to produce hydrogen-powered buses.

“Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the skills of this workforce and indeed that of manufacturing workers in Northern Ireland. Wrightbus will receive £11.2 million under the Westminster government’s ‘Build back better’ plans to build next generation hydrogen-powered buses.

“It’s a moment to recall the fight of the Wrightbus workforce two years ago when they were forced to mobilise to keep the doors of this factory open. Without that successful campaign we wouldn’t be in this position today. The company has recently launched another recruitment drive bringing the workforce to one thousand with the stated aim of employing a further three thousand over the coming decade.

“Today’s announcement confirms that Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector can succeed despite the failure of Stormont to bring forward a dedicated growth strategy for the sector. Northern Ireland manufacturing is world-class – a status rooted in the sector’s robust skills base. Those skills are a perfect fit to build the technologies needed for a greener and cleaner tomorrow. It is a matter of some pride to our union that hydrogen-powered buses now being built by our members in Northern Ireland and are being driven by our members working for Translink and the Education Authority.

“Unite will continue to engage with Wrightbus management to ensure that all jobs created are paid at a rate reflecting the high-value added work involved. We also want to see investment in quality apprenticeships to ensure a new generation enters the labour force with the skills needed to assure manufacturing of continued success into the future”, Mr Brash said.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has said that a £11.2 million investment for hydrogen fuel cell buses in Ballymena is excellent news.

The DUP MP said, "After a huge effort of lobbying various government departments I am delighted the first major steps towards securing a green energy future ans thousands of local jobs has at least been taken.

The  government and industry award from Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) is part of £54 million commitment across three innovative automotive projects. £11.2 million is coming to Ballymena. This is significant news and shows that Northern Ireland is central to the UK hydrogen revolution.

I congratulate Jo Bamford and his team for their vision. The funding will allow the company realise ambitions of creating a centre of excellence for zero emission technology in Ballymena, enabling them to produce the next generation of world-leading hydrogen buses at a higher volume and a lower cost than ever before.

The safeguarding of more than 1,000 skilled jobs and the scope to create more than 3,000 additional jobs over the next ten years is hugely significant for the Northern Ireland economy as a whole. 

Hard and consistent lobbying of government has been key. I would urge every local Department to buy into this opportunity and see what else can be done to make this green revolution a success."