SSE, a prominent energy company, has achieved a significant milestone in the advancement of green hydrogen projects. The UK Government has chosen two of SSE’s initiatives for the final stage of its Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, a pivotal step in promoting the development and deployment of low-carbon hydrogen production.
The selected projects, namely the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder and Gordonbush Hydrogen, exemplify SSE’s commitment to driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero carbon future. With a strong emphasis on de-risking investment and reducing lifetime costs, the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund aligns perfectly with SSE’s ambitions to harness the potential of green hydrogen.
The Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project, situated at SSE Thermal’s gas storage site in East Yorkshire, holds the aim of showcasing the intricate interplay between renewable hydrogen production, storage, and power generation. This endeavor, with its anticipated operational status by the mid-decade, is poised to underscore the pivotal role that flexible hydrogen power can play in the UK’s journey toward net zero emissions.
On the other hand, the Gordonbush Hydrogen project intends to leverage renewable energy from SSE Renewables’ Gordonbush onshore wind farm in Sutherland for green hydrogen production through electrolysis. This ingenious approach capitalizes on co-locating hydrogen production with existing renewables sites, offering a twofold advantage of maximizing renewable energy output and facilitating the decarbonization of multiple sectors.
Catherine Raw, Managing Director of SSE Thermal and Group Executive Committee lead for hydrogen, emphasized the significance of hydrogen in achieving net zero goals and enhancing energy security. She underscored SSE’s holistic approach to the hydrogen value chain, encompassing production, storage, and power generation.
The Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project entails harnessing green power through Renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) from the grid, utilizing a 35MW electrolyzer to generate hydrogen, and storing it in a converted salt cavern. This stored hydrogen would then power a hydrogen-fired open-cycle gas turbine, providing flexible green power to the grid as needed. SSE’s goal is to commence hydrogen production by 2025, contingent on planning consents and final investment decisions.
The Gordonbush Hydrogen project, currently undergoing refinements, envisions producing up to 1,300 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. This renewable fuel holds the potential to significantly contribute to decarbonizing sectors such as industry, transport, and manufacturing, which pose unique challenges in terms of emissions reduction.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, SSE’s projects emerge as beacons of sustainable innovation. The collaboration between the energy company and the UK Government exemplifies the strides being taken to usher in an era of cleaner energy and a more environmentally conscious future.
