SSE Renewables abandons plan for hydrogen hub at Gordonbush Wind Farm in Strath Brora
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SSE Renewables has abandoned its controversial plan for an experimental hydrogen production hub at a wind farm in East Sutherland, it has emerged.
The energy company shelved its proposal for the hub at Gordonbush Wind Farm in Strath Brora after its application for funding support from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was unsuccessful.
Christina Perera whose home at Ascoile is closest to the wind farm, was one of the most vocal opponents of the hydrogen hub and is delighted that the project has been ditched.
She said: “I am so relieved to learn that SSE Renewables has given up on their Frankenstein experiment. It has been almost two years of constant stress and uncertainty which has badly affected my health.”
SSE Renewables first announced its intention to build a hydrogen production plant at the 100MW wind farm, using electrolyser technology supplied by Spanish firm Siemens Gamesa, in April 2022.
The company said the process would use energy generated at the wind farm to separate water into its constituent parts of oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen produced would then be stored and distributed to potential customers in the transport, heating and manufacturing sectors.
SSE expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of green hydrogen a year, enough to power five medium-sized distilleries, 34 offshore wind farm service vessels and 295 buses.
However, objectors raised concerns about the potential for an explosion given the volatility of hydrogen, and were also deeply concerned about the number of “tube trailers” carrying gas that would use the single-track Strath Brora road, and the amount of groundwater - 36,000 litres a day - required for the process.
A consultation exercise carried out by SSE was also criticised as “clandestine”.
The company went on to submit an application for a Hazardous Substance Consent from the Hazardous Substance Authority (HSA) which, similar to a planning consent, is required for both the production and storage of hydrogen.
It also applied to the DESNZ for funding for the Gordonbush project and a similar project at Aldbrough.
DESNZ wrote to SSE on December 14, stating: “After careful consideration and evaluation, we regret to inform you that your project has not been successful in DESNZ Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1).
“The decision was a challenging one, given the high quality and competitiveness of submissions we received.”
SSE wrote to stakeholders on March 8, saying: “We communicated before Christmas that SSE Renewables’ Gordonbush Hydrogen project has not been selected for support under the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 scheme.
"Following this outcome we advised we would review the feedback we had received from DESNZ and determine the next steps for the development of the project.
"We have conducted a full review and in conjunction with the feedback we have received to date from all our stakeholders, we can advise that we will not be proceeding with the development of the Gordonbush Hydrogen project.”
Ms Perera said she doubted whether the lack of funding was the only factor behind the withdrawal decision, pointing out that DESNZ had encouraged SSE Renewables to reapply for the next round of funding.
“I know that various businesses they claimed would buy the hydrogen cried off, so effectively there was no market for it, which is what we said all along,” she said.
She continued: “SSE Renewables does not care about the negative impact their actions have on people’s lives or their livelihoods. As far as SSE is concerned, we just have assets they want to exploit, preferably at zero costs to their bulging wallets.
“Communities find themselves under the constant threat of development and it’s time that we get some sort of protection from these greedy multinationals.”
