Engineering news
Statera Energy, a developer of flexible energy generation and storage technology, will develop the 3GW electrolyser project in Kintore, Aberdeenshire.
The scheme will use electricity from wind turbines to create green hydrogen, supplying Statera’s power generating facilities and industrial clusters through existing gas transmission pipelines.
Kintore Hydrogen will receive half the funding needed for the Front End Engineering Design (Feed), planning and consenting from the UK government’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF), it was announced today (30 March).
The government backed the initial 500MW phase development. The proposed Feed study has a target completion date in 2024, with plans for an investment decision in 2025. The full 3GW of production is expected in 2030.
“The project will offer significant benefits to the UK and its transition to net zero,” a Statera announcement said. “It will enable Scottish wind generation to be used in situ for electrolysis to generate green hydrogen. This will reduce the need for more costly transmission grid reinforcements to convey excess electricity in Scotland to other parts of the UK.”
The scheme could also complement the conversion of natural gas transmission pipelines to carry a greater share of green hydrogen, helping decarbonise energy-intensive industries.
“Kintore Hydrogen can play a critical role both in alleviating grid constraints and acting as a long duration energy store beyond the expected capabilities of battery storage and pumped hydro. It provides an opportunity to reduce whole system costs, whilst also contributing to the decarbonisation of the country’s energy network and maintenance of the UK’s energy security system,” said Julian Leslie, head of networks and chief engineer at National Grid ESO.
Tom Vernon, managing director of Statera Energy, said: “The project will produce green hydrogen at scale in an optimal location, offering low-cost, secure and storable energy to the UK system. “
Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine, added: “If progressed, this world-leading green energy scheme, one of the biggest of its kind in the world, will help to secure the UK's energy supplies, support job creation in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, deliver regional economic growth and accelerate the decarbonisation of our economy."
The company is aiming to use British-made technology and UK-based contractors where possible, said Alexander Stafford MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hydrogen.
Statera Energy has 1GW of battery storage and flexible generation in operation or under construction, with a further 13GW of hydrogen production, battery storage, flexible generation and pumped storage in development.
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