First Bus Aberdeen depot hydrogen plan approved despite fears from locals

First Bus has been given the go-ahead to install a hydrogen refuelling station at its Aberdeen depot that will help its goal to have a fully zero-emission fleet.

The transport firm was also given permission to add two battery storage containers to the King Street HQ.

Bosses argued these units were needed in order to create an electrified depot.

The proposal came as First recently invested £12.7 million into the city by introducing 24 new electric and 12 repower buses.

This will aid the company with its goal to have a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.

The battery containers will allow First Bus to store energy generated during the day.

This will then be used at the depot works and office at night, reducing demand on the grid.

The metal battery units will be screened by a three metre high timber fence and placed on an area currently used to store bins.

Old Aberdeen Community Council had objected to the plan as they were worried they would create a potential noise nuisance for neighbours nearby.

They made the point that noise concerns were previously raised when the bus firm installed electric vehicle infrastructure on the site.

But, council planners supported the proposal.

They said it would allow First to continue expanding its use of electric vehicles, reducing its carbon emissions and pollution.

While they noted neighbours would be “affected to a degree” by day-to-day noise on the site, they believed the proposed fence would be enough to prevent any nuisance.

Meanwhile, seven objections were sent to the council opposing the hydrogen refuelling station.

Those against the plans were worried that a potential hydrogen explosion risk on the site could pose harm to nearby residents.

There were also concerns that the proposed fencing was not enough to curb any annoying noises.

But planners urged councillors to approve the station as they believed the use of green hydrogen would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

They also believed there was little chance of any extra safety risk to residents.

The two applications recently went before Aberdeen City Council’s planning committee.

Bill Ireland of agents Logan Energy spoke at the meeting to allay any safety fears.

He said: “Comments have been made about cylinders exploding but these are very safe.

“They are steel and are safe for moving and storing hydrogen.”

This seemed to be enough to persuade councillors as they went on to unanimously approved both proposals.

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