Pursuit of developing Whitelee hydrogen facility continues
The development of a green hydrogen facility at the Whitelee Wind Farm near Eaglesham is progressing, with the front-end engineering design (FEED) study completed by Black & Veatch. This significant milestone marks a key step forward for the project, supported by UK government funding through the Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1).
The proposed facility, owned by ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited, will produce green hydrogen using renewable electricity from the Whitelee Wind Farm, the UK's largest onshore wind farm. The initial phase involves a 10 MW electrolyser, with plans for expansion under HAR2.
ScottishPower has submitted a hazardous substances consent application to East Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for the operation of the hydrogen facility. The plan includes hydrogen storage in high-pressure tube trailers and transportation by road, forecasting up to six heavy goods vehicle journeys daily. The facility is expected to employ up to ten permanent staff.
The application includes strategies for the safe storage and management of controlled substances at the site, such as up to four tonnes of hydrogen, 1.3 tonnes of diesel, and 0.24 tonnes of sodium hypochlorite. To ensure safety, the company plans to install venting systems, CCTV, fencing, and potential protective structures like blast walls.
The facility will be located less than a mile from public areas, including the B764 road near Eaglesham. The project initially secured £9.4 million in UK government funding in 2021 for its development. ScottishPower emphasizes the project's zero-carbon emissions credentials as part of broader UK hydrogen and clean energy goals.
This hazardous substances consent is a critical regulatory step enabling safe operation of the hydrogen production, storage, and distribution infrastructure at the site. The facility supports the UK's net zero targets by generating renewable hydrogen to decarbonize industries locally.
East Ayrshire Council will assess the application, with potential for public comment during the consultation period. The proposed Green Hydrogen facility at the Whitelee Wind Farm stands to contribute significantly to Scotland's renewable energy and decarbonization ambitions.
[1] ScottishPower press release, 2021: https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/media/press-releases/2021/scottishpower-secures-9-4m-to-develop-green-hydrogen-facility-at-whitelee-wind-farm/
[2] East Ayrshire Council planning application, 2025: https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-standards/planning-applications/planning-applications-search/
[3] ScottishPower community engagement, 2021: https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/media/community-engagement/whitelee-green-hydrogen-project/
[4] UK Government press release, 2021: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-backs-green-hydrogen-projects-with-240m-investment
- The green hydrogen facility at the Whitelee Wind Farm, supported by UK government funding through the Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1), will generate renewable hydrogen, contributing to the decarbonization of industries locally and aligning with the UK's net zero targets.
- The proposed Green Hydrogen facility, owned by ScottishPower Energy Retail Limited, is expected to employ up to ten permanent staff and receive significant investment from the UK government's finance sector as part of broader renewable-energy and clean-energy business objectives.
- To ensure the safe operation of the hydrogen production, storage, and distribution infrastructure at the site, ScottishPower has submitted a hazardous substances consent application to East Ayrshire Council, which includes strategies for the management of controlled substances like hydrogen, diesel, and sodium hypochlorite.
