The company held the first of their two consultation events where the public were able to view plans for the proposed ‘Creca Hydrogen Facility’.
GCH want to ‘kickstart’ the development at the former nuclear power plant site, with a green hydrogen facility helping to decarbonise industries in the immediate vicinity. It follows the release of the CX Project’s ‘Chapelcross Masterplan’ last year.
If given the go ahead, the proposed development would create 50 permanent skilled jobs, while a further 150 posts would need filled for the construction phase.
It is hoped construction can begin next year on the South of Scotland Enterprise Energy Transition Zone – the old runway site – with the plant becoming fully operational by 2028.
Once open, the site will produce more than 4000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, supporting the decarbonisation of industries across the region and helping to play a key role in the clean energy transition. The facility will also be directly connected to new-build solar assets, enabling the development of new, renewable generation in Dumfries and Galloway.
GCH development manager Stephen Livermore said: “The facility will use electricity from local renewable generation assets (such as wind and solar) to split water into its constituent parts (oxygen and hydrogen), a process known as electrolysis.
“The hydrogen will then be compressed and delivered to a range of industrial users via tube trailers, replacing the use of natural gas in high heat processes.
“The industrial users are within 20 miles of the facility and include food and drink producers and industrial equipment manufacturers.”
He added: “Both the UK and Scottish governments have set targets for the growth of the hydrogen economy, with the UK targeting 10 GW of renewable hydrogen production by 2030 and the Scottish Government setting a target of 5 GW.
“NESO, the National Energy System Operator, has highlighted hydrogen as a critical element of supporting the future energy system of the UK, particularly in the delivery of dispatchable power.”
The capital expenditure for the project is in excess of £75 million and it is expected the project will provide significant Gross Value Add to the area over the two-year construction period.
Tuesday’s consultation in Creca was praised as being ‘very valuable, allowing GCH to gather important feedback from the local community’.
Feedback will be assessed and will inform changes to the facility proposal, while a second consultation event will allow GCH to share how the initial feedback has been incorporated into plans.
The second consultation will be held at Creca Village Hall on Monday May 5 from 2-7 pm.
