Aberdeen City Council is set to accelerate delivery of its hydrogen hub and reinforce efforts to build a hydrogen economy in the city following a £15 million funding boost.
The announcement was made during the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Day at COP26, and came as part of the publication of the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Action Plan, which outlines how it aims to meet a target of 25 GW of green and blue hydrogen production by 2045.
Aberdeen, Scotland’s track record of building hydrogen supply and demand featured as a case study in the launch of the Hydrogen Action Plan, which highlighted the city’s credentials as a world-leading hydrogen pioneer and a blueprint for other regions looking to transition to low and zero carbon energy sources.
In October 2021, Aberdeen City Council announced bp as its preferred bidder for a commercial partner for the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, which will incorporate solar power, green hydrogen production and a refuelling facility for public transport. The hub will strengthen the city’s hydrogen position and support supply chain development, skills and training, and the creation and retention of jobs in the region.
A Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Hydrogen Hub will not take place until front end engineering design (FEED) work has been completed, however this funding announcement will contribute to the hub becoming operational as soon as possible, increasing supply and demand in the city through applications in transport, rail, marine and heating.
The council received significant interest from commercial bidders for the Hydrogen Hub, which highlights the city is now firmly on the map for inward investment in energy transition projects.
These recent announcements reflect over a decade of driving forward hydrogen use in the city, and Aberdeen City Council has demonstrated an enterprising approach to growing a hydrogen economy, with demonstration projects including buses, public sector vehicles and waste trucks.