SSE Renewables and Equinor have cancelled plans to supply inexperienced hydrogen utilizing electrical energy from the fourth section of Dogger Financial institution, the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The 2 corporations mentioned the Dogger Financial institution D undertaking staff will “now focus its full consideration on connecting to {the electrical} transmission system” after receiving affirmation of a grid connection.
SSE Renewables and Equinor unveiled proposals for Dogger Financial institution D in February final yr, increasing the prevailing scheme by as much as 1.3GW.
On the time, the businesses mentioned they had been contemplating two choices for energy output – a grid connection and/or inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing.
The second possibility would have seen Dogger Financial institution related to a devoted electrolysis facility within the Humber area to create “the UK’s largest inexperienced hydrogen undertaking”.
As late as December, the hydrogen plans gave the impression to be going forward as SSE Renewables and Equinor awarded three contracts to evaluate growth choices for the undertaking.
Dogger Financial institution D inexperienced hydrogen scrapped
Nevertheless, in a press release on Friday asserting a grid connection for the undertaking, the Dogger Financial institution D companions mentioned the inexperienced hydrogen plans wouldn’t go forward.
“With the affirmation of an onshore grid connection location within the East Driving of Yorkshire, the choice to direct the wind power produced by Dogger Financial institution D in the direction of hydrogen manufacturing, as publicly consulted on in Autumn 2023, has been retired from the undertaking,” SSE Renewables and Equinor mentioned.
The three way partnership companions, which every maintain a 50% stake in Dogger Financial institution D, mentioned a suggestions report will likely be printed later this month.
The report will include a undertaking replace outlining the long run route for Dogger Financial institution D.
“Representatives for the undertaking have began early discussions with stakeholders about up to date proposals for the undertaking and are trying ahead to actively partaking with communities on the development of Dogger Financial institution D,” the assertion mentioned.
Plans for ‘Offshore Hybrid Asset’
The Dogger Financial institution D builders are additionally exploring the long run chance of coordinating with an “offshore hybrid asset” between the UK and one other European nation’s electrical energy market to type a “multi-purpose interconnector”.
“This feature would enhance power safety for the UK and scale back the necessity to curtail offshore wind output in instances of oversupply on the GB community,” the builders mentioned.
The announcement follows the publication of an affect evaluation for the South Cluster by the Electrical energy System Operators (ESO).
The affect evaluation pertains to South Cluster offshore power tasks that are attributable to be electrically related off the east coast of England.
A spread of builders together with SSE Renewables, Equinor, SSEN, RWE and Nationwide Grid requested adjustments to the unique design plans attributable to “current actions within the world provide chain of HVDC know-how”.
SSE Renewables and Equinor mentioned Dogger Financial institution D will now join into Birkhill Wooden through a proposed new 400kV substation.
The substation is ready to be constructed as a part of Nationwide Grid’s Nice Grid Improve.
Dogger Financial institution D undertaking supervisor Rob Cussons welcomed the affirmation of the grid connection and pledged continued session on the long run plans.
“Dogger Financial institution D guarantees to construct on the legacy we’re creating by the sooner phases of the Dogger Financial institution Wind Farm, throughout which we’re working exhausting to ship protected and respectful development each offshore and onshore, in addition to producing socio-economic worth for present and future generations,” Mr Cussons mentioned.
“We stay up for persevering with these excessive requirements for undertaking growth and dealing with our stakeholders to plan and ship a sustainable and safe power system.”
World’s largest offshore wind farm
SSE celebrated first energy from the world main Dogger Financial institution in October final yr, nevertheless provide chain points might delay completion of the primary section again to 2025.
The primary three phases of Dogger Financial institution – A, B and C – are situated greater than 130 km off the Yorkshire coast and can generate sufficient renewable power to energy six million UK properties.
SSE Renewables is main on development and supply of the wind farm whereas Equinor would be the operator upon completion.
Initially backed by SSE (40%) and Equinor (40%), Eni acquired a 20% stake in every section in collection of transactions by 2020 and 2021.
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