SSE and Equinor granted planning permission for first-of a kind Humber hydrogen project

The development of the UK’s hydrogen network has taken a huge step forward as SSE and Equinor’s Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project becomes the first hydrogen-to-power project to receive consent in the UK.

Located within SSE Thermal and Equinor’s existing gas storage site on the East Yorkshire coast, the project is a pioneering initiative in the field of hydrogen production, storage and power generation. 

Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder will see green power sourced from grid through a renewable Power Purchase Agreement, in compliance with the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard. Hydrogen would then be produced via a 35MW PEM electrolyser before being stored in a converted salt cavern and then used in a 100% hydrogen-fired open cycle gas turbine (50MW), exporting flexible green power back to the grid at times of system need. In the future, hydrogen storage will also benefit offtakers in other sectors, for example in industry, heat or transport.

Bringing these elements together in one location will provide an evidence base for wider deployment of essential flexible hydrogen power in the UK.

Prior to being awarded planning permission, Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder was shortlisted by the UK Government in Hydrogen Allocation Round Two (HAR2), which seeks to allocate revenue support through the Hydrogen Production Business Model. SSE Thermal and Equinor are now progressing through a due diligence phase with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as part of this process.

Combined, these milestones demonstrate the strength of local and national support for the project.  SSE Thermal and Equinor are also proposing a hydrogen storage project at the same location, as well as a dedicated hydrogen pipeline connecting this to regional producers and users.  

Sally O’Brien, Senior Project Manager on the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder Project, said: “Securing planning consent is a big step towards the UK’s low-carbon future.   
 
“By integrating hydrogen production, storage, and power generation in the Humber, we hope to create new opportunities for investment in the region, while advancing national clean power and decarbonisation goals.   
 
“Over the last two years, we have engaged with the community, ahead of, and throughout the planning process, as part of our commitment to being a trusted developer and a good neighbour. The project will bring growth to the region through our supply chain partnerships and engagement with local businesses.   
 
“There has been an incredible volume of work contributed to the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder which will help to lay the foundations for SSE Thermal’s and the UK’s net zero ambitions.”