The public has been invited to have its say on plans for the first phase of a £215 million hydrogen “hub” planned by energy giant BP and Aberdeen City Council.
The overall scheme aims to deliver “Scotland’s first” scalable facility able to produce green hydrogen, with phase one aimed to be up and running from 2024.
A 12-week public consultation has been launched on the phase one proposals, which include a green hydrogen production and vehicle refuelling facility, powered by a solar farm.
The city and north-east are at the forefront of development of the capability to produce green hydrogen.”
Ian Yuill, co-leader, Aberdeen City Council.
Two public exhibitions are planned, with the first to be held on December 10, from 10am-4pm, at St Fittick’s Parish Church on Walker Road in Aberdeen.
It will feature site plans and information about the project, with team members on hand to answer questions.
The second event will take place in January, with progressed designs incorporating feedback from the December event.
BP said the proposed production facility and solar farm would be on separate sites but connected by an underground solar grid connection.
Where will the facility be based?
Land next to Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Park, Aberdeen, has been earmarked for the hydrogen production facility, while the proposed solar farm will be on the former Ness landfill site.
BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy – the joint venture between BP and the city council – plans to submit a planning application for the development after the consultation,
Who owns it and who is paying?
The council and BP have been asked to clarify ownership of the joint venture and who is responsible for paying for the hub.
The local authority picked BP as the preferred bidder to build the production facility last year. The Scottish Government earmarked £15m for the development.
BP and the council have said a final investment decision will be taken in 2023.
What is green hydrogen?
Industry hopes hydrogen can replace natural gas as a primary fuel source in areas like heavy industry and transport.
The size of others markets, such as domestic heating, remains unclear.
Green hydrogen is produced from sustainable energy sources like offshore wind, or in this case solar power.
But it is deemed more expensive than its dirtier alternative, blue hydrogen, which is derived from natural gas.
Watch: BP Aberdeen ‘village’ model actually produces hydrogen
Further uptake of hydrogen is expected in the coming years as major infrastructure projects like the European hydrogen backbone are created – expected to create market demand for exports of the fuel from places like the North Sea.
BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy chief executive Oliver Taylor said the launch of the public consultation marked an important milestone for the project.
Mr Taylor added: “Feedback we receive at these events will help shape the final designs.
“We look forward to engaging with the public, hearing their views, and considering ways we can minimise any potential impacts and benefit the local community as this project progresses.”
Council co-leader Ian Yuill said: “It is really important this engagement happens and we welcome the proposed approach.
“We know from the consultation we did in developing our plans to become a net-zero city the importance of speaking to people and understanding their views to inform the overall process.
“The city and north-east are at the forefront of development of the capability to produce green hydrogen.
“The consultation by BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited will inform how the hub is ultimately developed.”
Conversation