Four Zeros and Vergia Team Up on UK Hydrogen Projects

Image Credit: Four Zeros Energy

Four Zeros Energy has partnered with Norway-based energy firm Vergia to co-develop and finance a nationwide portfolio of green hydrogen and related clean energy projects across the United Kingdom. The move signals a growing appetite for large-scale hydrogen investment as the country accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels.

Their first joint venture is already in motion. The St Austell Green Hydrogen project, located in Cornwall, was recently shortlisted under the UK Government’s second Hydrogen Allocation Round, commonly referred to as HAR2. The project was selected in April 2025 and is being positioned as a key contributor to the government’s broader net-zero agenda.

Four Zeros Energy director Murray Davies said: “Partnering with Vergia provides the technical depth and financial strength required to accelerate the commercial rollout of green-hydrogen projects in the UK.”

The facility is expected to produce green hydrogen intended to replace natural gas in local mining operations. This aligns with the UK’s national strategy to deploy up to 10 gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen generation capacity by 2030. At least half of that is expected to come specifically from green hydrogen derived through renewable-powered electrolysis.

HAR2, the government’s latest funding round, is designed to support up to 875 megawatts of new electrolyser capacity. The St Austell project is seen as a strong candidate to help realise this goal, given its local industrial application and renewable energy potential.

Marc Schürch, chair of Vergia and head of renewable energy infrastructure at Swiss Life Asset Managers, said: “Combining Four Zeros Energy’s local development expertise with our long-term infrastructure capital will enable us to advance a pipeline of bankable projects that contribute meaningfully to the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors in the United Kingdom.”

Both companies highlighted the long-term benefits of their collaboration. They believe the partnership will attract new investment into the UK’s hydrogen sector, create skilled jobs in regional communities and bolster national energy independence by reducing reliance on imported gas.

Shepherd and Wedderburn provided legal support for the agreement on behalf of Four Zeros Energy. Thommessen and Burges Salmon advised Vergia.

With industrial decarbonisation becoming increasingly urgent and green hydrogen gaining traction globally, this partnership represents more than a single project. It is the beginning of what could become a new era in clean fuel infrastructure across the UK.