ScottishPower, Hutchison Ports explore 100 MW hydrogen electrolyzer at UK's Felixstowe

ScottishPower and Hutchison Ports are exploring the opportunity to develop, build and operate a multi-hundred megawatt green hydrogen production facility at the Port of Felixstowe, the utility and the operator of the UK's biggest container port said Aug. 9.

Plans are being developed to use green hydrogen to decarbonize UK heavy transport with focus on road, rail and industrial use and potential to create liquid forms, such as green ammonia or e-methanol, it said.

The project targets a start date from 2025 onward for engineering and site development works to align with customer demand, it said.

"This strategically important project could potentially create a clean fuels hub that could unlock nationally significant decarbonization for the region, as well as playing a role in international markets," ScottishPower's hydrogen director Barry Carruthers said.

Locations close to offshore wind farms in the East Anglia region were a key advantage, he added.

ScottishPower-owner Iberdrola is to invest up to GBP6 billion ($7.3 billion) in the East Anglia offshore wind hub having been awarded concessions for 2.9 GW across three sites with constructions set to start 2023.

A 100 MW electrolyzer facility could deliver up to 40 mt/day of hydrogen, enough to power 1,300 trucks, it said.

The cost to produce green hydrogen in the UK (PEM electrolysis including capex) was pegged Aug. 8 at GBP22.11/kg based on front-month electricity prices, S&P Global Commodity Insights data show.

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