Browne Jacobson advises Clean Power Hydrogen on global IP licence agreement

Browne Jacobson has advised Clean Power Hydrogen Group (CPH2), a leading UK manufacturer of membrane-free electrolysers for green hydrogen production, in a landmark deal that will enable the construction of 2GW of electrolysers in Ireland over a period of up to 20 years.

The UK and Ireland law firm’s team of intellectual property and green technology specialists, led by Partner Nick Smee and Associate Jess Zareh, advised CPH2 on its intellectual property licence agreement and sales contract for the delivery of a 1MW electrolyser with Irish energy firm Lisheen H2 Energy Park Limited, which trades under the name Hidrigin.

This follows a succession of recent projects Browne Jacobson has delivered for CPH2, including the high-profile international deal with Bentec GmbH.

This new partnership grants Hidrigin the rights to manufacture up to 2GW of CPH2’s MFE220 electrolyser units in Ireland for integration with Hidrigin’s own solar and wind energy projects worldwide, beginning in 2025 and covering a period of up to 20 years. Hidrigin will contract the manufacturing of the MFE220 units to global engineering contractor Jones Engineering at its factory in County Carlow, Ireland.

CPH2 will receive a fee in staged payments for the licence upon meeting certain milestones, which the company expects will be achieved within the next two years, as well as revenues from the sale of components and a technology fee per unit manufactured.

Nick Smee, Partner at Browne Jacobson, said: “Having worked closely with CPH2 over the past four years, it has been a pleasure to support this innovative and growing hydrogen business once again during the latest stage of its growth journey.

“With its cutting-edge electrolysers that have the potential to scale up cost-effective green hydrogen production to help tackle the climate crisis, CPH2 is a shining example of the type of clients we love working with – ambitious companies that are operating at the forefront of society’s biggest issues.”

Jon Duffy, CEO of Clean Power Hydrogen, added: “Our licence agreement and sales contract with Hidrigin showcases the increasing customer demand for, and belief in, our MFE technology.

“Our goal remains to produce electrolyser capacity of approximately 1GW at CPH2 facilities and 3GW under licence, and this announcement gives a good indication of how we will look to achieve that. Licensing agreements are a key part of our business model, helping to scale the business globally and accelerate market penetration of our ground-breaking technology by leveraging the resources of competent partners.

“I would like to thank the excellent work of the Browne Jacobson team on this project, whose in-depth knowledge of our business and experience in this sector has been invaluable.”

Browne Jacobson previously supported CPH2 on its listing on the AIM, a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange aimed at high-growth companies, in 2022.

Paul Hill, Head of Energy and Infrastructure, added: “It is fantastic to witness the rapid growth of CPH2’s profile over the past few years. It is at the forefront of the UK’s green hydrogen sector and helping to shape the future green tech landscape, and we are incredibly proud to have worked with the team again on another important deal.”