Plans for world-first hydrogen power station in North Lincolnshire take big step
Planning Inspectorate to examine £900 million hydrogen power station proposal near Scunthorpe
Plans for a 900MW hydrogen power station in North Lincolnshire have taken a major step forward after the Planning Inspectorate accepted the project for examination.
The Keadby Next Generation Power Station, proposed by SSE and Equinor, could be one of the first hydrogen-fired plants in the world and aims to be operational by 2030.
Because of its national significance, the final decision will rest with a Secretary of State, not North Lincolnshire Council.
“Keadby Next Generation can play a pivotal role in decarbonising power generation, while driving the green industrial revolution in the Humber," said Kelly De Azevedo Dent, SSE Thermal’s Director of Development, "bringing major investment to the region, while creating and safeguarding high-quality local jobs.”
If approved, the £900m development could create around 800 construction jobs locally.
The Keadby site has powered the UK for nearly 75 years, evolving from coal to Europe’s most efficient gas plant, Keadby 2.
“This is an important moment for the hydrogen to power sector," said Jalal Fahadi, Equinor’s Vice President for Low Carbon Thermal Power," tackling emissions in the UK’s industrial heartlands whilst also driving economic growth and creating local opportunities.”
SSE is also developing hydrogen production and storage and investing in technology that could run turbines on 100% hydrogen by 2030.