ITM Power PLC has now taken the decision to substantially expand facilities at Bessemer Park, Sheffield, and signed a contract for the lease of additional factory and office space. A key component of 12-month priorities plan as set out in January is the debottlenecking of fabrication, testing and product validation. The expansion will allow to create a dedicated R&D and product validation centre which will include science laboratories and testing facilities for future technology developments, and which will enable to use the existing fabrication space at Bessemer Park more effectively for higher volume output.

The additional power supply will feed into the new facility which will enhance and expand factory testing capabilities. ITM personnel operate from a number of different locations in Sheffield, and it is intention to consolidate all of workforce and operations at Bessemer Park, at both existing unit and the additional unit announced. This will allow to work together more effectively.

The initial lease period is for 15 years, covering more than 83,000 sq ft. Fitting out of the laboratories and validation areas will commence towards the end of 2023 and ITM will occupy the facility early in 2024.