The green light has been given to Meld Energy to develop a 100 MW green hydrogen production facility in Saltend, Hull.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has given approval to build the £250m green hydrogen facility, a major boost to the UK’s clean energy portfolio.
The move will position the Humber region as a leading hydrogen hub and help to decarbonise the UK’s leading industrial emitter of CO2.
Meld Energy’s CEO Chris Smith commented: “Meld Energy’s ambitious plans for the Humber are poised to accelerate decarbonisation efforts in the region.
“This outline planning approval is an important milestone for the development of our project, which is the first of several that we will be bringing forward in the Humber and across the UK.
“Our Saltend Chemicals Park project will enable decarbonisation for our customers in the park and set the baseline for accelerating and reducing the cost of the energy transition.
“We couldn’t be more excited with this news and look forward to being able to share more in the coming weeks.”
Meld Energy’s project will join other leading chemical businesses at Saltend Chemicals Park, including BP Petrochemicals Technology, Vivergo Fuels, Yara, Mitsubishi Chemicals UK, Ineos, and Air Products, as well as the Triton Power station.
Benefits of green hydrogen
Green hydrogen presents numerous benefits for both the environment and the economy. Firstly, its production process generates zero greenhouse gas emissions, making it a crucial player in the fight against climate change.
By utilising renewable energy, green hydrogen reduces dependency on fossil fuels, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.
Secondly, green hydrogen serves as a versatile energy carrier. It can be used in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation.
For industrial applications, green hydrogen can replace carbon-intensive processes, such as those in steel and chemical production, leading to significant emission reductions.
Additionally, green hydrogen facilitates the storage and distribution of renewable energy. Its ability to be stored for long periods and transported over long distances addresses the intermittency and geographical limitations of renewable sources like wind and solar power.
Economically, the growth of green hydrogen technologies can create new industries and job opportunities.
Investments in hydrogen infrastructure and production can stimulate economic growth, drive innovation, and position countries as leaders in the emerging global hydrogen economy.
Transforming the Humber region
The Humber region is the UK’s largest industrial CO2 emitter, generating over 5% of the UK’s overall emissions and 50% more than the next largest region.
Meld’s green hydrogen production facility will be instrumental in reducing the region’s emissions significantly.
The facility’s green hydrogen will be produced via electrolysis – which employs electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
This will help to produce 30% of Saltend Chemicals Park’s hydrogen demand and cut a substantial 125,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Meld Energy submitted a bid in April for the second round of the government’s Hydrogen Production Business Model funding. Successful applicants will be announced later this year, with the government aiming to support up to 875 megawatts of hydrogen production.
