Uniper Unveil Plan for Low Carbon Hydrogen Production
Uniper has detailed its plans to produce low-carbon hydrogen using electrolysis technology at its Ratcliffe power station site in Nottinghamshire, once the plant ceases coal-power generation at the conclusion of September 2024.
In an official statement, Uniper articulated its ambition to progressively increase its electrolysis hydrogen production capacity to 500MW by the beginning of the next decade. The first 100MW is slated for commissioning during the latter half of the 2020s, contingent upon a successful financial decision and the satisfaction of several prerequisites. These prerequisites encompass obtaining the necessary planning consents and environmental permits, securing hydrogen offtake agreements, and establishing a Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement with the Government.
The resulting hydrogen could subsequently be employed to decarbonise industry, transportation, and power sectors across the East Midlands. This prospective development will contribute to the transformation of the site into a zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the region after power generation ceases. This decision follows the granting of a Local Development Order (LDO) by Rushcliffe Borough Council on July 13th. The LDO grants outline planning permission for specific types of development, including low-carbon energy production, at the site. The site is also a part of the East Midlands Freeport and the East Midlands Hydrogen initiative, established by D2N2 in collaboration with other stakeholders.
The potential development at Ratcliffe will draw from the lessons learned from Uniper's H2 Maasvlakte project in the Netherlands. The Maasvlakte project is currently engaged in a Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study and is expected to commence hydrogen production later in this decade. Uniper has set an ambitious target of constructing over 1GW of electrolyser capacity across its business by 2030.
Guy Phillips, Team Lead for Business Development Hydrogen in the UK, commented, "We are working closely with regional stakeholders and partners as part of the recently launched East Midlands Hydrogen initiative, and there's a highly coordinated plan emerging with substantial potential demand for hydrogen. Ratcliffe enjoys an advantageous location with excellent transport connections and utilities infrastructure. It has the capacity to support the UK's hydrogen and decarbonisation goals, creating new employment opportunities with a high skill level and ensuring that the site continues to make a significant contribution to the regional economy."
