Statkraft is expected to advance its green hydrogen plan in Hunterston

Recently, Statkraft, a leading renewable energy company in Europe, has proposed a plan to build a green hydrogen facility at Hunterston, a former coal terminal in Ayrshire.

Clydeport, part of the UK's second-largest port operator, Peel Ports Group, has signed an option agreement with Statkraft to jointly explore the development potential of the Hunterston PARC (Port and Resource Campus) site.

The facility in the plan will focus on the production, storage, and export of hydrogen. Through pipelines connected to the existing on-site terminal, the facility will enable the transportation of hydrogen in the form of ammonia from the UK to overseas markets via ships.

Several renewable energy projects in the Hunterston area have reached advanced stages of development, including XLCC's first UK subsea energy cable factory, Highview Power's world's largest liquid air energy storage (LAES) facility, and Bakkafrost's onshore aquaculture facility.

Peel Ports Group has obtained planning permission and plans to invest £150 million to rebuild the dockyard on the site to construct facilities supporting offshore wind development. Although currently in discussions with multiple developers, the company remains open to other potential uses for the dockyard.

Currently, the company is in discussions with more potential customers, and it is expected that the entire Hunterston facility will attract £3.5 billion in external investment and create over 5,000 jobs.

The construction of the facility will represent a significant capital investment and will generate substantial employment opportunities for the local economy.