Aberdeen City Council has begun searching for a joint venture partner to build a green hydrogen hub in the city.
The Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, which is a hydrogen infrastructure development programme working across housing, heating and transport, is looking for a partner to supply its range of public sector vehicles.
Aberdeen City Council has agreed in principle to fund £19.4m from its Capital Programme as investment in the Hydrogen Energy Partnership.
As part of its role in the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub Strategic Partnership, the strategic partner will be expected to provide finance and investment for the opportunity and competent resources including scoping, design, procurement, project management, implementation, delivery, operation, maintenance, commercial support and technical expertise.
Phase one will include the procurement of a hydrogen production facility for public sector consumption of a resilient, cost effective supply of green hydrogen on a commercial basis to support both existing and proposed transport projects.
Phase two envisages supply to larger volume utilisation hydrogen vehicles such as rail, freight and marine.
Phase three will involve the supply of hydrogen for heat and export.
The joint venture will enter into a Hydrogen Supply Framework Agreement with the Council for an initial period of 10 years with two subsequent optional extensions of five years each.
The Hydrogen Hub will capitalise on the region’s central role in the development of the rapidly growing offshore wind sector to provide a “green” fuel supply for transport, homes and businesses, and accelerate the growth of the hydrogen sector in the region.
Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “Aberdeen is already recognised as a pioneering hydrogen city and creating this strategic partnership will be crucial step in realising our ambitions for Aberdeen to become a global leader in hydrogen.
“Our city is renowned for its innovative thinking, entrepreneurial approach and energy expertise and developing the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub is an important next step in our plan to create long-term, green economic growth in the city and deliver Aberdeen’s Net Zero Vision.”