BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited, a joint venture between BP and Aberdeen City Council, have gone out to tender for hydrogen electrolyser and compression, storage and dispensation equipment, with the aim of first hydrogen fuel being produced from the 3rd Quarter 2024 to fuel 25 buses and a range of other fleet vehicles.
BP and Aberdeen City Council signed an agreement to form a joint venture in May for the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub. The Hub is to be developed in three phases. The tender is in respect of Phase one – delivery of a green hydrogen production and transport refuelling facility powered by a solar farm.
The new tender is for a scalable green hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility in the city, including compression, conditioning and storage as required and a refueling/dispensing hub for vehicles
It also has to allow for hydrogen import facilities, as future phases could see production scaled up to supply larger volumes of green hydrogen for rail, freight and marine, as well as supply of hydrogen for heat and potentially export. This expansion would be enabled by the expected increased availability of local renewable energy sources, including offshore wind production from the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round.
A study commissioned by Aberdeen City Council on the growth in demand for hydrogen power estimates that if the hydrogen hub enables the export of renewable hydrogen, then up to 700 skilled jobs could be created in the hydrogen industry by 2030.
Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said in May that the city has “a developing hydrogen economy with 85 hydrogen-powered vehicles deployed across the city, refuelling infrastructure, and a joint venture company with BP to deliver the hydrogen production and distribution hub.
“That next phase will see scale production of green hydrogen in response to growing demand and maintains Aberdeen’s place at the forefront of the UK and Scotland’s transition to renewable energy.”
Vehicles include fleet of 25 buses, 60 public sector vehicles and waste trucks
Aberdeen City Council’s Convenor for City Growth and Resources Councillor Ryan Houghton said of the joint venture that it “ provides the city with the expertise to grow a supply chain, develop new skills and jobs and I believe this model will be an exemplar for how councils implement plans to reach net zero.”
Dr Oliver Taylor, incoming chief executive for BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited, said:
“By working with key fleets in and around the city we’re aiming to stimulate demand for hydrogen and help the people and businesses of Aberdeen secure value through the energy transition.”