Ground Broken On 1st-Of-Its Kind FL Hydrogen Plant In Polk County

MULBERRY, FL — LowCarbon, a global eco-friendly company specializing in clean energy solutions, in partnership with Ocean Green Hydrogen, a Tampa-based company focused on creating a pioneering facility that will drive the adoption of sustainable energy solution, has broken ground on a first-of-its-kind clean hydrogen plant in the region.

On hand for the Tuesday groundbreaking ceremony for Polk County plant were Florida Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa; Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg; state Rep. Melony Bell, R-Fort Meade; state Rep. Karen Gonzalez-Pittman, R-Tampa; Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan; and Pinellas County Commissioner Dave Eggers, along with industry leaders and representatives from LowCarbon and Ocean Green Hydrogen.

Hagan said the groundbreaking marks a significant milestone for Florida, bringing cutting-edge clean hydrogen technology to the state through the collaboration between LowCarbon, Ocean Green Hydrogen and the state of Florida to develop a clean hydrogen hub.

“I am thrilled to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mulberry Clean Hydrogen plant in our own back yard,” said Hagan. “This project not only contributes to our environmental well-being but also generates economic opportunities for our region. I commend LowCarbon and its partners for their dedication to innovation and sustainability, and I look forward to the positive impact this plant will have for our region and the state of Florida.”

On April 26, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Seoul, South Korea, highlighting the joint efforts to construct the Florida clean hydrogen hub, a project valued at more than $1 billion. The project aims to produce economical clean hydrogen and serve as a strategic area in Central Florida for clean energy advancements.

“LowCarbon’s carbon capture technology is really positive, and we will work together to build a clean hydrogen hub in a strategic area in Central Florida," said DeSantis.

LowCarbon is committed to using advanced technologies and sustainable practices to reduce
carbon emissions to improve the environment.

Through the collaboration with Ocean Green Hydrogen and Space Florida, the clean hydrogen plant in Mulberry will serve a crucial step in achieving these goals, officials said.

The company is expected to invest more than $100 million to develop the facility and provide 150 jobs on site with an average annual salary of over $60,000.

“We are excited to break ground on this landmark clean hydrogen plant in Mulberry, Florida,” said Henry Jeong, president of LowCarbon America, a global eco-friendly company committed to developing clean energy solutions with a focus on innovative technologies and sustainable practices. “This project represents a significant investment into sustainability and energy independence in the state of Florida.”

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding establishes cooperation and partnerships in the construction of Florida’s clean hydrogen hub. This collaboration includes forming strategic alliances, using carbon capture utilization and direct air capture technologies, supplying clean
hydrogen, and developing mutually beneficial business opportunities.

Jeong said LowCarbon’s groundbreaking ceremony in Mulberry signifies the company’s dedication to innovation and sustainability and will pave the way to further advancements in Florida’s clean energy technologies, contributing to the state’s commitment to a greener future.

The company is collaborating with Space Florida, the aerospace economic development agency of the state, to support the development and deployment of clean hydrogen and related technologies for aerospace and space industry launch applications.

“Our state is taking a bold step toward promoting long-term development in the aerospace and space industry across the entire supply chain,” said DeSantis. “From manufacturing and launching to fuel production, Florida is the global leader in the new space economy.”

“As launch cadence continues to increase from Florida, we need to think strategically about our fueling capabilities,” said Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez. “This partnership with LowCarbon and Ocean Green Hydrogen adds to an ecosystem which allows business to build, launch, recover, refurbish and relaunch, all within the Sunshine State.”

“Florida is where leading aerospace companies get everything they need to see their new idea take off, and with our strategic partnership with LowCarbon and Ocean Green Hydrogen, we are diversifying opportunities across the fuel supply chain,” said Frank DiBello, president and CEO, Space Florida. “I want to thank Gov. Ron DeSantis for continuing to be a champion for the aerospace and space industry, helping make Florida the leader in the global space economy today and for years to come.”

DeSantis said the collaboration between Space Florida and LowCarbon and Ocean Green Hydrogen is a significant step toward promoting Florida as not only the launch capital of the world, but also the place for companies across the aerospace supply chain to grow.

Space Force Chooses Florida

The groundbreaking coincides with DeSantis' announcement last week that Florida’s Patrick Space Force Base has been selected as the home for the U.S. Space Force Space Training and Readiness Command headquarters.

He said this development further solidifies Florida’s dominance as the most military-friendly state and position's Florida as America’s hub for military and private space operations.

STARCOM will prepare combat-ready U.S. Space Force Guardians and train space professionals in the development of space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures, DeSantis said.

“From Project Mercury to today’s privatized spaceflight, Americans look to Florida’s Space Coast to see history in the making,” said DeSantis. “We are honored to host the Space Training and Readiness Command headquarters and continue Florida’s history as America’s gateway to outer space.”

“Florida’s selection as the STARCOM headquarters underscores the state’s exceptional assets and its vital contribution to the nation’s space endeavors,” said Nuñez. “With an unmatched aerospace infrastructure, military installations and top-tier academic institutions, Florida provides key collaborative partnerships that will advance space military operations right from our Space Coast.”

“This decision by the U.S. Air Force reflects the strategic importance of Florida in advancing national security and defense in space,” said DiBello. “Bringing STARCOM’s headquarters to Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is a significant milestone in Florida’s history and reaffirms our critical role in advancing the nation’s space and military capabilities. I want to thank USSF General Stephen Purdy for his commitment to helping build a space military operations hub in Florida.”

Space Florida worked in partnership with Florida Defense Support Task Force, Enterprise Florida, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida High Tech Corridor, Florida Institute of Technology, National Center for Simulation, Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation, the University of Central Florida and other state and local entities to bring STARCOM headquarters to Florida.