Andy Marsh, Chair of the U.S. Net Zero Advisory Board for Northern Ireland
Guest article: Northern Ireland - Strengthening global green economy leadership
As we mark the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Net Zero Advisory Board for Northern Ireland, I’ve seen first-hand how this region is emerging as a global leader in the green economy. On my recent visit, I was struck by the innovation, ambition, and technical capabilities on display—both within companies and across universities. The integration between academia and industry is rare, and the value placed on education translates directly into corporate innovation and performance.
What impressed me most was how advanced Northern Ireland already is in areas like warehouse management systems and just-in-time manufacturing. The area is further ahead than what I’ve seen elsewhere in the world! This capacity to innovate and apply solutions at scale makes the region distinctive and compelling.
As chair of the U.S. Net Zero Advisory Board for Northern Ireland, I continue to see a unique opportunity to influence policy and industry practices that will shape the future of clean energy. Achieving this requires collaboration between nations, industries, and innovators—and Northern Ireland is proving it has the vision and expertise to lead.
A unified advantage: education, policy, resources, and infrastructure
Northern Ireland is compact in population but rich in assets. Robust investment in education, strong governmental support for scaling technologies, deep technical know-how, abundant wind resources, and excellent infrastructure combine to create a uniquely advantageous environment for growth.
Wind power is already a meaningful contributor to the regional energy mix. The ability to scale wind energy production and convert that into green hydrogen and liquid fuels is not just possible—it’s transformative. Northern Ireland—and indeed the island of Ireland more broadly—are strategically positioned to lead in green hydrogen and liquid fuel production at scale.
Belfast Harbour, with its access to the UK, EU, and international markets, strengthens this position even further. Its logistical advantage reinforces Northern Ireland as a hub for low-carbon innovation and trade.
Electrification alone isn’t enough for full decarbonisation. Regions like Northern Ireland are rich in wind resources and infrastructure, are uniquely suited to support the production of low-carbon molecules like green hydrogen and liquid fuels. The region’s full package of capabilities makes it an ideal platform for scaling clean energy technologies.
Company highlights: Hutchinson and FAST Technologies
Among the many companies I met, two stood out as examples of Northern Ireland’s strengths in engineering and innovation: Hutchinson Engineering and FAST Technologies.
Hutchinson Engineering, a second-generation family-run business in Kilrea, represents true manufacturing excellence. Their advanced laser manufacturing technology and seamless inventory-to-production delivery systems set them apart, enabling them to serve some of the world’s best-known companies.
FAST Technologies showcases the same spirit of innovation and precision. Known for its quality engineering, FAST demonstrates the adaptability and global competitiveness that define Northern Ireland’s industrial base.
Together, these companies highlight the depth of talent and technical strength that underpins the region’s growing green economy supply chain.
Accelerating impact through strategic leadership
In my role as Chair of the U.S. Net Zero Advisory Board for Northern Ireland, my mission is clear: to help elevate the region’s green economy presence, forge strategic industry partnerships, and stimulate investment in low-carbon technologies.
Over the next six months, I’m energised by the prospect of strengthening international collaborations and embedding Northern Ireland more deeply within global supply chains. By next year, I anticipate we’ll look back on tangible progress, measured not just in partnerships, but in scaled technologies driving the green economy forward.
Northern Ireland is indeed punching above its weight. Its combination of technical excellence, innovation, and strategic positioning makes it an invaluable partner for any organisation committed to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
About the Author - Andy Marsh, Chair of the U.S. Net Zero Advisory Board for Northern Ireland
Andy Marsh has served as CEO of Plug since April 2008, guiding the company’s transformation into a global leader in the hydrogen economy. Under his leadership, Plug has built the industry’s first vertically integrated green hydrogen ecosystem—spanning production, storage, delivery, and power generation—to help customers decarbonize at scale and achieve energy independence. A forward-thinking executive with deep technical expertise and a strong commercial focus, Marsh has led Plug’s strategic evolution from a fuel cell pioneer to a full-spectrum hydrogen solutions provider.
Marsh is a recognized thought leader in the hydrogen and clean energy sectors. He is the former Chair of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), a member of the international Hydrogen Council, and serves on several boards, including as the Chair of the U.S. Net Zero Advisory Board for Northern Ireland, GEVO, the UAlbany Economic Advisory Board.
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