Vattenfall has cancelled a mission to develop hydrogen off the coast of Aberdeen saying it’s “now not an environment friendly use of sources” on account of business advances.
The HT1 trial, on the Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm, had been hoped to produce hydrogen to automobiles like buses and vehicles “for at the least 10 years” after it went on-line in 2025.
Vattenfall had deliberate to assemble services together with a pipeline and different specialist infrastructure subsequent 12 months, forward of first operation in This fall 2025.
Nonetheless, the Swedish firm has now determined to wind down the mission.
Vattenfall stated it has “aided the creation of a brand new regulatory and consenting regime” for the UK Authorities for hydrogen transport and storage.
It stated the choice had been taken “in gentle of different business advances”.
When requested to make clear, a Vattenfall UK spokesperson instructed Vitality Voice: “Because the mission developed, the regulatory points of offshore hydrogen manufacturing turned the first focus.
“On the identical time, different business advances meant it was now not an environment friendly use of sources to truly trial hydrogen manufacturing any longer.”
They added {that a} “main success” of HT1 is there may be now a regulatory regime in place within the UK for growth, manufacturing, transportation and storate of hydrogen produced on offshore wind farms.
Vattenfall stated it could proceed to discover fossil fuel-free hydrogen manufacturing and a report with findings for the HT1 mission might be introduced later in 2024.
Blow for Aberdeen hydrogen ambitions
Planning paperwork submitted final 12 months outlined plans for HT1 to return on stream on the finish of 2025, with the purpose to produce transport like buses in Aberdeen for “at the least 10 years”.
Vattenfall stated the hydrogen could be transported ashore through a subsea pipeline and produce sufficient per day to energy a hydrogen bus to journey 15,000 miles – the equal of fifty return journeys from Aberdeen to Glasgow.
Together with the 7.5-mile pipeline, plans have been afoot to construct a receiver station at Aberdeen South Harbour.
Hydrogen manufacturing tools was to be put in on an prolonged platform on one of many eleven 8.8 megawatt generators.
Dick Winchester, an advisor to the Scottish Authorities on vitality technique, stated he wasn’t stunned by the announcement.
“There’s little readability from both the Scottish or UK Governments on what position hydrogen goes to be enjoying within the vitality transition and that is in stark distinction to our associates in Europe who’re already rolling out H2 stations throughout their roads community and operating trials on the usage of hydrogen for home warmth,” he stated.
“In truth, one Dutch city has already elected to change from pure gasoline to inexperienced hydrogen for warmth. So this isn’t simply dangerous information for Aberdeen the place it might need had an inspirational impact and inspired others to become involved within the growth of hydrogen applied sciences and providers however the lack of hydrogen manufacturing limits our selections on find out how to obtain a simply transition and that may’t be wholesome.”
The transfer comes weeks after concern was raised over a delay to BP’s plans to develop a hydrogen hub in Aberdeen, with a key closing funding determination being delayed by months.
Learn extra right here:
‘Fear’ over BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub delay
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