• Planning application submitted for Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, supporting the city’s net zero vision.
• Joint venture between bp and Aberdeen City Council plans to design, build and operate hub incorporating solar power, green hydrogen production and refuelling facility for the city’s growing public and private fleet of hydrogen vehicles.
• The application follows a consultation period where public views were sought.

Plans for a new green hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility in Aberdeen powered by renewable energy, have moved a step closer.

bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited – a joint venture between bp and Aberdeen City Council – has submitted a planning application for the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, which would involve building a green hydrogen production and vehicle refuelling facility powered by a purpose-built solar farm. Views of the public were invited ahead of the submission to Aberdeen City Council, during a consultation period that included two public exhibitions, providing the opportunity to help shape proposals.

The proposed hydrogen facility and solar farm would be on separate sites, connected by an underground solar grid connection. Industrial land at Hareness Road, Aberdeen, has been earmarked for the hydrogen production facility, while the proposed solar farm would be built on the former Ness landfill site.

Dr Oliver Taylor, chief executive of bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited, said: 
“Today marks a milestone for the project, building on our shared vision with Aberdeen City Council to establish the city as a centre of excellence for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and bp’s ambition to build a leading position in hydrogen globally.

“Submission of the planning application follows a successful public consultation period where we welcomed the opportunity to meet with local residents and hear feedback, recognising the importance of bringing the Aberdeen community along with us on this journey.”

The planning application is for the first phase of the project, which is being designed to provide enough green hydrogen to fuel 25 buses a day and a range of public and private vehicles.

The outcome of the planning application is expected in Summer, 2023. The current project ambition is to have the facility producing hydrogen by the end of 2024.

KeyFacts Energy: bp UK country profile