The airport previously became home to a temporary refuelling station and secured low-emission hydrogen-fuelled vehicles – including cars, trucks, forklifts, vans and tugs – as part of the region’s Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub trial in 2021.

Now, after being successful in the Government’s latest £8 million Hydrogen Transport Hub Demonstration, it will see a permanent hydrogen refuelling station based at its site.

"You are aware that there is exploration that has just started in Muzarabani so this relationship is going to assist us given that it's a new frontier for Zimbabwe to exploit our hydro-carbons in Muzarabani and we think from this relationship we are going to benefit a lot collaborating with them and sharing the expertise so that we also broaden our energy mix in the country.

"It is an MoU for the purposes of collaborating in areas of energy. You might be aware that Algeria is very much advanced in the area of hydrocarbons, they do mine their oil and extract their gas which they are using for the betterment of their economy especially in the area of gas to electricity," he said.

Mark Harper visited the airport last week to give one of the new hydrogen-powered vans a test drive.

Accompanying him was Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, who was keen to express how the research could make Teesside a global destination for investment.

The test drive went without a hitch and Ram Gokal, CEO of Innervated Vehicle Engineering, expressed his excitement at the investment.

He said: “There are a lot of exciting projects going on in this area.

“We want to set up here and grow.

“It took £2m to research and get these vehicles together. With this new investment we can take the next steps for the project.”

Mr Harper explained that the aim of the two projects is to make hydrogen powered vehicles competitive with diesel ones.

Mark Harper visited the airport last week to give one of the new hydrogen-powered vans a test drive.

Accompanying him was Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, who was keen to express how the research could make Teesside a global destination for investment.

The test drive went without a hitch and Ram Gokal, CEO of Innervated Vehicle Engineering, expressed his excitement at the investment.

He said: “There are a lot of exciting projects going on in this area.

“We want to set up here and grow.

“It took £2m to research and get these vehicles together. With this new investment we can take the next steps for the project.”

Mr Harper explained that the aim of the two projects is to make hydrogen powered vehicles competitive with diesel ones.