Selms Muir Hydrogen, in Livingston, West Lothian, will deliver a 20 megawatt electrolyser hub capable of producing six tonnes of low carbon hydrogen a day. The scheme is a collaboration between Hygen, a developer of hydrogen production projects in the UK, and European Energy, a global developer of renewable power, based in Denmark.
The hydrogen will be used to fuel local buses and other heavy vehicles including construction equipment, as well as supporting a nearby solar farm project to support Scotland’s conversion to hydrogen. The scheme will also connect to the nearby Selms Muir Solar Farm, which has been developed in a partnership between European Energy and Renewable Connections.
ees Europe: Strong focus on hydrogen
The 18 megawatt solar Farm was granted planning permission in 2022. Over the 40-year lifespan of the project, the farm would displace an estimated 420,000 tonnes of CO2 from fossil fuel sources.
Add hydrogen production to solar, wind and batteries
“We are expanding to add hydrogen production to our solar, wind and battery storage activities in the UK. With our expertise from the sector in Denmark, we believe that there is also a business case for green hydrogen production in the UK,” says Mark Evans Vice President and Head of UK and Ireland in European Energy.
Guido Dalessi from Elestor: “Between hydrogen pipelines and electrolyzers”
Kevin Selleslags, Hygen CEO, said the shortlisting was a significant move towards creating a long-awaited, nationwide hydrogen supply network. “Today’s announcement recognises the importance both of this scheme and of the role hydrogen will play in our journey to net zero,” he said.
Funding through the Hydrogen Allocation Round 2
“This project is unique in its ambition. It will enable deployment of the UK’s first fully zero-carbon municipal bus fleet, while simultaneously developing the business case for the delivery of a fully-consented renewable energy project.”
Market for hybrid power plants in Europe still in the starting blocks
Funding for the project will come through the Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2), which is being provided by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. HAR2 funding is designed to rapidly scale up the production of UK-based green hydrogen in line with the Government’s ambition to have up to 10 gigawatts of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 – at least half of it green. (hcn)
