SSE’s Keadby site in North Lincolnshire is a shining example of the energy transition in action. Home to power generation for 70 years, the village of Keadby grew around the original coal-fired power station. Following its closure, the existing Keadby Power Station began generating in 1996 and has played a vital part in the Humber energy estuary.
That role has continued to grow, with Keadby Wind Farm – England’s largest – beginning operations in 2014. While renewables will be at the heart of our energy future, flexible generation remains crucial and to that end SSE has developed Keadby 2 Power Station, which entered commercial operations in March 2022 and is one of the world’s most efficient gas-fired power stations.
With a recognition all roads to net zero lead through the Humber - as the UK’s most carbon-intensive industrial cluster - SSE is also developing two further low-carbon projects at Keadby.
The first is Keadby 3 Carbon Capture Power Station, which is currently the only power CCS project in the UK with planning permission. This vital project could capture up to 1.5MT of CO2 a year and is an example of the type of low-carbon project we’ll need to succeed in delivering a clean power system. Keadby 3 could be operational towards the end of the decade – allowing it to not only contribute to net zero targets but also power a just transition and help level up the regional economy.
Finally, SSE is also developing Keadby Hydrogen Power Station, which could be the world’s first 100% hydrogen-fuelled power station, producing zero emissions at the point of combustion.
Together, these projects represent the present and future of Keadby, one of the most important energy hubs in the UK today and a key location on our net zero journey.