Aberdeen City Council’s city growth and resources committee agreed to appoint BP as joint venture partner for the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub.
City growth and resources convener Councillor Ryan Houghton said: “I am incredibly proud of this next step Aberdeen is making with our commercial partner BP, which has advised the council on the delivery of our Energy Transition Strategic Infrastructure Plan and this exciting announcement builds on that work.
“We’re proud that hydrogen is already here in Aberdeen and this significant commercial partnership with BP is set to support our ambitions. We plan to create a blueprint which can be replicated around the world by the cities and regions looking to reach net zero. Aberdeen’s position as a leader in the energy industry requires ongoing investment and partnership and the hydrogen hub is a fantastic example.”
Councillor Jenny Laing, leader of the council, said: “This is a huge announcement for Aberdeen as it supports the delivery of our Net Zero Vision and paves the way for the city to be a world leader in the production of hydrogen-based green fuel and energy.
“It will help create a cleaner, more sustainable city for local people and it also provides us with the opportunity to create hundreds of skilled jobs and add millions to the Aberdeen economy. Aberdeen has a worldwide reputation as a pioneering hydrogen city and by working in partnership with BP, we intend to put Aberdeen at the forefront of the green economic recovery.”
Louise Kingham, BP’s UK head of country and senior vice president for Europe, said: “BP is committed to providing integrated energy solutions to help cities and corporations decarbonise and this hydrogen hub proposal can help do just that.
“We look forward to working with the local authority to deliver this exciting project, drawing on the skills and expertise of our people and their vast experience delivering complex energy projects.
“This milestone comes a matter of days after BP and our partner EnBW were named among successful bidders in the ScotWind offshore wind leading round and further demonstrates the leading role bp can play in Scotland’s energy transition.”
Aberdeen City Council started its moves towards hydrogen more than 10 years ago and uses the zero emission fuel to power a fleet of 25 buses, 60 public sector vehicles and waste trucks, as well as the P&J Live events, conference, and entertainments complex. More than two million passengers have travelled on the city’s hydrogen buses, and the council said that CO2 savings over the last six years are in excess of 100 tonnes.
It is envisaged that the AHH will be developed in three phases in response to growing demands for hydrogen:
- phase 1 - initial production for public sector consumption including the provision of a resilient, cost-effective supply of hydrogen on a commercial basis to the market to support both existing and proposed transport projects;
- phase 2 - expansion in the short to medium term to connect to larger volume utilisation of hydrogen - rail, trucks and marine use;
- phase 3 - hydrogen for heat and export. Recent ScotWind announcements may support the future delivery of Phase 3.
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