RAF Waddington hosts hydrogen energy tech demo
Above: A Red Arrows' Hawk T Mk1 aircraft provided an event centrepiece, linking world-class aviation with next generation clean energy support systems such as GeoPura’s HPU-Ms.
Courtesy GeoPura / copyright: Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Held inside a Rubb Buildings semi-permanent hangar on the airfield, the demonstration replicated a deployed operating location without access to grid electricity, where access to secure clean energy is critical.
The event brought together representatives from the Royal Air Force, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), local government and a wide cross-section of national defence and security industry stakeholders.
Delegates included the RAF Waddington Station Commander, Group Captain Leanne Warner and Squadron Leader Gareth Pickard who commands 5001 Squadron, which enables ground engineering functions to support deployed air operations.
The event also featured a static Hawk T1 jet from the Red Arrows – based at RAF Waddington – as well as engineers from the team, collectively known as the Blues. The striking backdrop underscored the aerobatic team’s ongoing work to pioneer sustainability in military aviation and display flying.
Group Captain Leanne Warner commented: “RAF Waddington is committed to exploring innovative approaches that enhance operational resilience while reducing environmental impact. Hosting this demonstration provided an opportunity to engage with partners across defence and industry on how sustainable energy solutions could support deployed operations and main operating base requirements. The presence of a Red Arrows Hawk underscored our ambition to lead on sustainability in aviation and beyond.”
Andrew Cunningham, CEO & Founder, GeoPura, said: “Periods of geopolitical uncertainty highlight why energy self-sufficiency matters, particularly for the armed services where operational readiness must never falter. What we demonstrated here today shows how renewable fuels such as green hydrogen can be produced and deployed wherever they are needed, strengthening resilience and supporting more agile operations. It is encouraging to see the UK’s armed forces exploring these solutions and taking meaningful steps towards a cleaner, more secure energy future.”
Squadron Leader Barry Garnham, Senior Engineer Officer of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “During 2025, the Red Arrows have pioneered the use of more environmentally-friendly fuels in display flying – becoming the first national aerobatic team in the world to adopt sustainable alternatives, for both propulsion and to create our famous coloured smoke trails.
“Having one of the team’s distinctive Hawk jets as a backdrop for this demonstration at our home base underscores this innovative approach, which also aims to increase domestic energy-security.”
HPUs use a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity without producing harmful emissions. Hydrogen feeds into the fuel cell where it combines with oxygen to create electrical power, with only water produced as a by-product. Each unit provides clean, continuous, low-noise power and includes built-in battery storage to manage variable loads and support mission-critical equipment.
GeoPura is the largest producer of green hydrogen in the UK and has already supported the Ministry of Defence through earlier trials that used HPUs to power EV charging across Army, Royal Navy and RAF bases. For the armed forces, this offers a dependable source of off-grid energy that reduces carbon emissions, improves air quality for personnel and strengthens operational resilience in remote or contested environments.
Technical Annex Summary
The demonstration replicated a deployed operating environment, with two GeoPura Hydrogen Power Unit Mobiles (HPU-M) providing all site electrical power. Each type of GeoPura’s Hydrogen Power Unit integrates Balard hydrogen fuel cell stacks, onboard hydrogen storage, power electronics and remote monitoring.
Capabilities demonstrated:
- Zero emission power generation suitable for airfield, deployed or off grid defence use.
- Mobile configuration allowing rapid transport and set-up.
- Elimination of diesel dependency for critical systems.
- Compatibility with temporary infrastructure such as Rubb hangars.
- Potential for integration with hybrid or renewable systems.
Stakeholders included RAF operational energy teams, MoD National Armaments Director Group and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) innovators, resilience planners, county councils and Regional Defence and Security Cluster members.
Red Arrows sustainability brief
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (the Red Arrows) continues to lead military aviation and display flying sustainability efforts. Key points:
- First national aerobatic team in the world to use synthetic/sustainable aviation fuel blends in public performances.
- Use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to produce its distinctive trademark coloured vapour trails.
- Exploration of future low carbon operations in support of RAF Net Zero 2040 goals and to support increased domestic energy-security.
Squadron Leader Barry Garnham, Senior Engineer Officer of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “During 2025, the Red Arrows have pioneered the use of more environmentally-friendly fuels in display flying – becoming the first national aerobatic team in the world to adopt sustainable alternatives, for both propulsion and to create our famous coloured smoke trails.
“Having one of the team’s distinctive Hawk jets as a backdrop for this demonstration at our home base underscores this innovative approach, which also aims to increase domestic energy-security.”
