Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder

MARKETS: Power & renewables

LOCATION: Yorkshire, UK

CLIENT: SSE and Equinor

COMPLETION DATE: 2028

Creating one of the world’s largest hydrogen storage facilities

The Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project, developed by SSE Thermal in partnership with Equinor, is a pioneering initiative aimed at creating one of the world’s largest hydrogen storage facilities. Located in East Yorkshire, UK, the project is designed to store low-carbon hydrogen, which is crucial for balancing supply and demand in a future hydrogen economy.

AtkinsRéalis has been responsible for the feasibility study and concept design of an electrolyser system, underground hydrogen storage solution and a hydrogen fired Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT). The project will produce hydrogen using renewable energy in a 35-megawatt electrolyser which will be stored in an underground salt cavern. The stored hydrogen will then be used to fire a OCGT which can export power to the grid when demand is high.

With an expected capacity of 320 GWh, enough to power 860 hydrogen buses annually, this project is a key component of the UK’s broader Zero Carbon Humber initiative, supporting the nation’s net-zero goals by 2030.