Scotland to “Lead Energy Revolution” – Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer has announced that Great British Energy (GBE) will let Scotland: “lead the clean energy revolution.”
The legislation to create GB Energy will be introduced at Westminster on Thursday, with ministers predicting it will target Scottish industries like offshore wind and hydrogen.
Ahead of the Bill’s introduction, the Prime Minister commented, “Scotland will lead the clean energy revolution in the United Kingdom, fuelled by the skills, knowledge, and talented workforce the energy sector here contains.
It isn’t a surprise that Scotland is at the forefront of the new PM’s plans for clean energy, with numerous projects and innovations coming out of the country. Recent examples include a hydrogen valley near Aberdeen and a hydro project in Loch Fearna.
New Highland Hydro Project
The Scottish company, ‘SSE’, has announced plans to progress a new pumped storage hydropower scheme at Loch Fearna in Scotland’s Great Glen. This is in a 50:50 development joint-venture with a consortium led by Gilkes Energy.
SSE Renewables already operates the largest fleet of hydro-electric power and pumped storage hydro assets in Scotland. It is now progressing with development plans for new pumped storage hydropower projects in the Highlands to complement its existing fleet and deliver the large-scale, long-duration electricity storage needed as part of Britain’s future energy mix.
It is envisaged the proposed development would be up to 1.8GW in generating capacity and capable of producing around 37GWh of stored energy capacity. The project has already secured a grid connection offer totalling 1,795MW.
Ross Turbet, Head of Investment Management for Hydro at SSE Renewables commented: “As the UK transitions to net zero, the development of additional pumped storage hydro projects will be crucial for energy security and for balancing an increasingly renewables-led energy system during periods when the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine.
“The proposed Fearna project is a welcome addition to our development pipeline of pumped storage hydro projects, which also includes our proposal to develop what could be one of Britain’s biggest pumped storage schemes in 40 years at Coire Glas and our intention to convert our existing Sloy Power Station into a pumped storage facility.
“Our vision for the delivery of pumped energy storage solutions for a net zero Britain demonstrates SSE Renewables’ ongoing commitment to optimising the value of our existing hydro assets while investing in new hydro projects as part of our wider renewable portfolio.”
Carl Crompton, Managing Director at Gilkes Energy Limited, added: “We are delighted to launch, in partnership with SSE Renewables, the Fearna Pumped Storage project. Energy storage allows energy produced during times of excess generation (mainly wind) to be stored and released later when there is a deficit of renewable energy.
“Pumped Storage Hydro projects are in effect very large water batteries and the technology behind these projects is very mature and robust. PSH projects can easily last for 100+ years with no degradation in performance.”
NES work with ASCO to develop Hydrogen valley
North East Scotland (NES) has developed a proposal (called TH2ISTLE) to create a Hydrogen Valley in the region.
The TH2ISTLE concept envisions an expansion of the region’s hydrogen capabilities. A demand-led, interconnected set of hydrogen activities would begin to decarbonise sectors like agriculture, distilleries and off-road vehicles.
Coordinated by Aberdeen City Council, the TH2ISTLE group involves approximately 30 partners from industry, public sector, academia and international replicators. This includes almost 20 local supply chain companies experienced in the energy industry who will deliver key components and expertise.
Scottish company ASCO will support and optimise the logistics of hydrogen supply across the TH2ISTLE project.
Key activities will cover:
Hydrogen production
· Integrated production of green hydrogen from the new Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project, TECA and HydroGlen, and the refurbished existing sites at Kittybrewster and ACHES.
Hydrogen Storage & Distribution
· An optimised tube trailer network to distribute H2 from production sites to end users, enhanced by digital monitoring.
· Development of Scotland’s first “hydrogen highway”, with two new Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) between Peterhead and Aberdeen.
· Development of a hydrogen bowser to connect to remote hydrogen applications.
In April 2024, the proposal was submitted to a European funding competition for Hydrogen Valleys. If successful, TH2ISTLE could be awarded 9 million euros, which would complement the existing and additional funding in place for these projects. A funding decision is expected in Summer 2024 and the TH2ISTLE project’s prospective start date is Q1 2025.
Overall, these two projects show that Keir Starmer was correct in his decision to put such value, and thus responsibility, on Scotland’s hydrogen sector.
Byline by Sonny Riddell
