Plans lodged for UK’s largest electrolyser facility
Sheffield-based energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power is progressing a major green hydrogen project, for which a planning application has now been submitted.
It is working with partners ScottishPower and BOC on the application for a 20MW electrolyser to be sited at ScottishPower Renewables’ Whitelee Wind Farm near Glasgow, the UK’s largest onshore wind farm.
It represents a doubling in the planned electrolyser scale capacity and is in response to market demand. ScottishPower expects a decision on the planning application by the end of autumn 2021.
The Whitlee Wind Farm is the first site for which planning permission has been sought as part of the Green Hydrogen for Glasgow project.
The project is designed to provide carbon-free transport and clean air for communities across the city, which wants to become the first net-zero city in the UK by 2030.
It will be led by ScottishPower, engineered and operated by BOC – using wind and solar power produced by ScottishPower Renewables – and will incorporate a 20MW electrolyser, delivered by ITM Power.
The project aims to supply hydrogen to the commercial market before 2023.
Graham Cooley, CEO at ITM Power, said: “This is an exciting milestone based on market development for green hydrogen for the city of Glasgow, that will see the UK’s largest electrolyser deployment to date being realised in Scotland.”
Barry Carruthers, ScottishPower’s hydrogen director, added: “With all eyes set to be on Glasgow later this year as the city hosts the UN’s 26th climate change conference, COP26, it’s fantastic to be making this next important step towards delivering green hydrogen for Glasgow.
“Whitelee keeps breaking barriers, first the UK’s largest onshore wind farm, and soon to be home to the UK’s largest electrolyser.
“The site has played a vital role in helping the UK to decarbonise and we look forward to delivering another vital form of zero carbon energy generation at the site to help Glasgow and Scotland achieve their net zero goals.”
Mark Griffin, hydrogen market development manager for clean fuels at BOC said: “The scale of this project demonstrates the growing demand for clean hydrogen.
“As a member of the Green Hydrogen for Scotland partnership, we’re delighted to bring our hydrogen mobility and refuelling project expertise to help deliver a ground-breaking facility in Glasgow.”
