The UK is Accelerating its Commitment to Green Hydrogen
The UK is accelerating its commitment to green hydrogen across its mainland regions, with exciting developments in Scotland and England. In England, SSE and EET Hydrogen are partnering on a major production facility in the North West, while in Scotland, the Scottish Government has introduced fresh support for hydrogen initiatives, positioning the nation as a leader in clean energy. Together, these efforts highlight hydrogen’s crucial role in the UK’s clean energy transition.
Following an announcement on the 16th of September, Scottish Businesses will be able to bid for a share of up to £7 million of Scottish Government funding to help kick-start green hydrogen projects across Scotland.
The funding will help cover the development stage costs of green hydrogen production projects with a production capacity of between 5 – 400 megawatts – the equivalent to the production of enough hydrogen to heat at least 200 to over 16,000 homes.
Scotland provides £7m funding for hydrogen projects
Support will also be available for work supporting the hydrogen supply chain and storage solutions, and will play an important role in helping the industry scale up as it responds to market demand.
Organisations have until the end of the month to apply for a maximum of £2 million of match-funding from the scheme which has been co-developed with Scottish Enterprise, who will facilitate and manage the fund. It complements a total of almost £7 million from the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Innovation Scheme, which has supported 31 projects across the country since 2023.
Acting Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan,
“Our energy sector, and the development of green hydrogen in particular, will play a crucial role in growing Scotland’s economy and delivering on our net zero targets. This is due to our capability to generate so much renewable energy which is crucial to the process of making green hydrogen”
“This funding – which will help support the development of green hydrogen projects and hydrogen hubs across the country, will, in time, help unlock opportunities in hydrogen for use and export and to power the clean energy intensive industries of the future. It demonstrates that Scotland is well positioned to lead the way in developing renewable energy in a way that delivers economic benefits and it also shows our commitment to help grow the hydrogen sector, one of the five priority areas set out in our new Green Industrial Strategy.”
SSE and EET Hydrogen partner on green hydrogen production facility in the North West
Two leading energy companies have partnered up to develop a new green hydrogen production facility in the North West of England.
SSE and EET Hydrogen have begun developmental work on a project at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. The project takes it’s name from the River Gowy and nearby Gowy Meadows Nature Reserve, being coined, “Gowy Green Hydrogen”
The initial expected 40MWe facility will deliver hydrogen to industrial offtakers in the region to support them to decarbonise their operations, helping to secure and grow jobs in the region.
Gowy Green Hydrogen could be operational as early as 2028, with feasibility studies completed and design and site investigation works underway. A planning application is expected to move forward in 2025 ahead of any final investment decision being made by the two parties.
Jess Ledger, Green Hydrogen Lead, EET Hydrogen
“Gowy Green is a fantastic addition to our existing portfolio of low carbon hydrogen projects, supporting our mission to be the leading low-carbon hydrogen business in the UK. We are delighted to be partnered with SSE, as the North West continues to lead in decarbonising industry and power through low-carbon hydrogen.”
Hannah Bronwin, Director of Business Development for SSE Thermal
“Scaling up green hydrogen production will be essential when it comes to decarbonising hard-to-abate industries and solving the clean power puzzle. We’re excited to work with EET Hydrogen to develop Gowy Green Hydrogen, which can help secure much needed hydrogen production capacity in a region which is already playing a leading role in the energy transition.”
In summary, the UK’s growing commitment to green hydrogen is paving the way for a cleaner energy future. The laterally written news within Scotland and Wales shows hydrogen’s essential role in driving the UK’s energy transition and meeting its climate targets.
