Statera Energy has obtained planning approval from Aberdeenshire Council for the Kintore Hydrogen project (pictured).
The project is expected to produce zero carbon green hydrogen from renewable energy, including from surplus power from Scottish wind farms that would otherwise be turned off to balance the grid.
The first 500MW of operational capacity is expected to be online by 2030, and when operating at its full 3GW capacity Kintore Hydrogen will cut up to 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 per year by displacing the use of natural gas, according to Statera.
Kintore Hydrogen is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs during its construction and 300 permanent jobs once operational.
Tom Vernon, chief executive of Statera Energy said: “We are delighted to have secured planning approval for Kintore.
“This marks a major step forward in delivering the UK’s clean hydrogen ambition while supporting our energy independence, and accelerating the development of homegrown clean energy alternatives for large industrial users.”
Its location calls for repurposing or new additions to the National Gas network to transport hydrogen at scale and serve key industrial regions across the country, such as industrial clusters at Grangemouth, Teesside and Humberside.
Vernon added: “Over the coming years, the sheer volume of wind generation coming onto the system in the UK will make electrolysers critical for harnessing wind energy that would otherwise go to waste.
“Kintore Hydrogen is designed to fully capitalise on the potential that hydrogen has to offer.
“The location and scale of this project means it can make best use of surplus wind power, significantly lowering hydrogen production costs.
“It will help balance the grid, contribute to the UK’s energy security, and support the decarbonisation of the UK’s hard-to-abate industries and power sector.”