Humber hydrogen project H2H Saltend secures planning permission

Saltend Chemicals Park.

A major hydrogen production proposed by Equinor for land east of Hull has been granted planning permission.

H2H Saltend, a 600 MW hydrogen production plant at he Saltend Chemicals Park, has been approved by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in a move which the Norwegian energy giant says strengthens its case in forthcoming Government competitions. It is expected to reduce the Park’s emissions by up to a third and hydrogen from the facility will be blended with natural gas at Equinor and SSE Thermal’s on-site Triton power station.

The project is looking to become part of the Cluster Sequencing Track-1 Expansion process, which will select decarbonisation projects that connect to the East Coast Cluster’s carbon capture transport and storage infrastructure by around 2030. It is being presented as a catalyst for wider Humber decarbonisation plans including linking CO2 pipelines from Easington, across northern Lincolnshire, to Drax in North Yorkshire via infrastructure owned by The Northern Endurance Partnership.

H2H Saltend is now one of three projects along the pipeline route with planning consent, including Drax BECCS and Keadby Carbon Capture Power Station. The project is also part of Equinor’s ‘Hydrogen to Humber’ plan to deliver 1.8 gigawatts of hydrogen production within the region through hydrogen transport and storage hub network linking key sites on the north bank of the Humber.

Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan said: “I am pleased that H2H Saltend has been granted planning permission, a vital step forward in decarbonising the Humber while delivering jobs and growth to the region. CCUS clusters will be the starting point for a new industry in the UK, which is why we’ve committed up to £20bn in early support and expect to bring forward 4GW of low carbon hydrogen production by 2030.”

Derek Ho, H2H Saltend project director, said: “We are delighted to receive planning permission for this key project which could help to kick-start multiple decarbonisation initiatives in the Humber, a vital region with a long-standing history for Equinor. It is an important first step in creating a low carbon hydrogen economy and achieving net zero in the Humber, safeguarding local industries and creating greater opportunities including new jobs and skills, whilst helping the UK to tackle climate change.

“This decision comes at a very opportune moment, as we await the launch of the Government’s next phase of the Cluster Sequencing process for the Humber, and it puts H2H Saltend in a strong position, should we submit a bid.”

Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, added: “This is an important decision not only for this project but also for this region. We welcome major energy projects from global companies like Equinor, which help to demonstrate the ability of our area to attract investment, leading to more jobs, supply chain contracts and opportunities for local people. We should be proud that East Yorkshire can be a leading light in the transition to a net zero economy.”