Hydrogen hub earmarked for Felixstowe
ScottishPower has agreed to develop, build and operate a green hydrogen production facility at Felixstowe Port, one of the largest ports in the UK and the busiest container port.
The hydrogen produced would be initially aimed at the heavy transport industry, says the energy company, adding that the scheme was in its very early stages so it could not provide much more detail.
“The green hydrogen will be produced by an electrolyser, which would be powered by new renewable energy projects, which could include offshore, onshore and solar PV generation,” said Catriona Balfour, Senior Corporate Affairs Manager with ScottishPower.
While Felixstowe, which is owned by Hutchison Ports, will produce the hydrogen predominantly for use in heavy transport, it says, although plans are being developed to explore the potential of creating liquid forms, such as green ammonia or e-methanol, which could then be used in shipping and aviation ’andcreate opportunities for cost-effective export to international markets’.
“This strategically important project could potentially create a clean fuels hub that could unlock nationally significant decarbonisation for the region, as well as playing a role in international markets,” said Barry Carruthers, Hydrogen Director at ScottishPower. “Its perfectly located not far from our existing and future offshore windfarms in the East Anglia region, and demonstrates how renewable electricity and green hydrogen can now start to help to decarbonise road, rail, shipping and industry.”
