Equinor has received the green light for its ambitious blue hydrogen venture in the Humber area, marking a significant step forward for the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
The H2H Saltend project, which has been granted planning permission by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, is poised to become a pivotal force in the industrial region’s transition towards greener energy. Boasting a 600MW hydrogen production capacity, this facility will play a crucial role in capturing nearly 900,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, leveraging the East Coast Cluster’s infrastructure for its secure storage beneath the North Sea.
In a strategic collaboration last year, Johnson Matthey’s LCH blue hydrogen technology was selected for H2H Saltend, promising to capture at least 95% of CO2 emissions. This low-carbon hydrogen will serve as an alternative to natural gas in local chemical processes and be integrated into the gas mix at the Triton power station, operated by Equinor and SSE Thermal.
Projected to be operational by the decade’s end, H2H Saltend is a cornerstone of Equinor’s broader Hydrogen to Humber vision, which aims to establish 1.8GW of low-carbon hydrogen production.
Anne Handley of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council highlighted the project’s significance not only for its environmental impact but also for its potential to catalyze local investment and job creation. Derek Ho, the project director at Equinor, emphasized the timely nature of the council’s decision, aligning perfectly with upcoming government initiatives for the Humber region.
Equinor’s H2H Saltend stands as a testament to the UK’s commitment to innovative carbon capture projects, potentially becoming one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The project, integral to the East Coast Cluster CCS network, aims to transition from grey to blue hydrogen production, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. The initiative is part of a broader effort to decarbonize industrial processes and power generation across the region, including blending hydrogen into the gas supply for the Triton Power Station and supporting the CO2 storage capacity of the East Coast Cluster.
The approval of H2H Saltend, following closely on the heels of the Stanlow refinery’s 1GW project, signals a robust momentum in the UK’s hydrogen economy. Both projects underscore the country’s dual focus on green and blue hydrogen, aligning with a national strategy to amplify hydrogen production to 10GW by 2030. With government backing through Track-1 status and a substantial fund allocation, these initiatives are slated to become operational in the mid-2020s, with Equinor eyeing a final investment decision for H2H Saltend by 2026.
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