ERM, the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, has supported SSE and Equinor’s Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project in becoming the first hydrogen-to-power project to receive planning consent in the UK.
ERM supported the planning application process alongside the environmental permitting, safety and marine licensing services it provides to the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project, which is located within SSE Thermal and Equinor’s existing gas storage site on the East Yorkshire coast.
The project will enable green power to be sourced from the grid through a renewable Power Purchase Agreement. Hydrogen will then be produced via an electrolyser before being stored and then used in a hydrogen-fired open cycle gas turbine, exporting flexible green power back to the grid at times of system need. In future, hydrogen storage will also benefit offtakers in industry, heat and transport sectors.
In addition to the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project, ERM is supporting the consenting process for the Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage project and the Humber Hydrogen Pipeline project, which will connect regional producers and users to a low carbon hydrogen network.
Russell Cullen, Partner at ERM said: “ERM welcomed the opportunity to support this pioneering project that will pave the way for wider deployment of hydrogen power. We look forward to working further with SSE and Equinor to navigate the energy transition and help the UK deliver on its low-carbon economy ambitions.”
Sally O’Brien, Senior Project Manager on the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder Project, said: “ERM’s technical expertise helped us deliver a complex planning application that was critical to securing consent for the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project.”
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As the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, deploying a unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. This approach helps clients to accelerate the integration of sustainability at every level of their business.
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