MSP WELCOMES BID TO PUT LEVENMOUTH AT THE CENTRE OF WORLD’S RENEWABLE HYDROGEN ENERGY FUTURE

Published date : 19 May 2020

Leven MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has today, Tuesday 19 May 2020, welcomed SGN’s announcement that it plans to build the world’s first fully renewable hydrogen network for homes in Levenmouth.

Subject to approval from Ofgem, the energy regulator, SGN will begin work on the H100 Fife facility, with the aim to serve 300 homes in Levenmouth within the next two to three years – and an option to expand to 1,000 homes.

Ms Gilruth met with representatives from SGN to hear about their proposals last year at which point several locations were being considered for the pioneering project.

Welcoming SGN’s announcement with Levenmouth as the preferred location, Jenny Gilruth MSP, said:

“In Scotland we have put in place world-leading climate change legislation and these plans announced by SGN, if approved, will put Levenmouth at the centre of world-leading renewable hydrogen energy development.

“As well as demonstrating the potential of a hydrogen as an affordable green energy, the project will give many of my constituents early access to a wider range of green energy options.

“Not only is Levenmouth set to reconnect to Scotland through the reopening of the rail link in the coming years, but this investment means we’ll be powering the way towards meeting the nation’s net-zero emissions targets, too.”

“I wish SGN’s full bid for funding through Ofgem every success and as Leven’s constituency MSP I will do everything I can to support it.”

H100 Fife is part of the national Gas Goes Green initiative, a collaborative series of projects to prove the viability of hydrogen for heat.

These projects share an objective to demonstrate how the UK’s world class gas network, comprising of over 280,000 km of pipes connected to 23 million homes and businesses, can provide a clear and cost-effective pathway to decarbonise heat through hydrogen at low cost, at pace and at scale.

Decarbonisation of the gas networks is necessary in order to achieve the Scottish Government and UK Government carbon net-zero targets by 2045 and 2050 respectively.

Angus McIntosh, Director of Energy Futures at SGN, said:

“The project will provide key national evidence for hydrogen’s role in the UK’s energy transition and critical insight into the customer value proposition of hydrogen for heat. As well as testing technical and engineering capabilities, the project will provide us with valuable insights into customer appetite and interest for hydrogen. Customers can participate on an opt-in basis, meaning they will have the choice to switch to hydrogen, or remain with their existing natural gas supply. A demonstration facility within the project is proposed to allow customers to interact with hydrogen appliances in a home-like setting prior to opting-in.”

“A hydrogen network in Levenmouth will help build our understanding of the changeover from existing natural gas – both for customers and gas infrastructure. The plan is to use zero carbon electricity from offshore wind to produce hydrogen by electrolysis, evidencing the potential mutual benefits for the offshore wind and gas sectors that hydrogen can bring. The site also provides an accessible, flagship site for cross-sector hydrogen demonstration projects.”

SGN have advised that the system in Fife will be designed and built to ensure at least the same safety and reliability standards expected from the current gas system. An on-site storage unit will hold enough hydrogen to ensure supply won’t be disrupted during even the coldest weather conditions.

ENDS

Notes for editors

You can access the SGN announcement in full here: https://www.sgn.co.uk/news/ready-deliver-worlds-first-100-green-hydrogen-network

You can access information about the Scottish Government’s Climate Change policy here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/climate-change

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