A UK-first end-to-end green hydrogen system on the Fife coast.
Central heating is responsible for up to a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas output: a challenge that must be solved if we are to meet the legally-binding net zero targets set by the UK Government and Scottish Government. Switching carbon-emitting natural gas for hydrogen, which doesn't produce carbon when it burns, is one of the ways that we can keep homes and businesses warm and safe while making ground in the fight against the climate emergency.
The project
On the east coast of Scotland, our H100 Fife project is laying the foundations for this change while giving residents in the local area the opportunity to be at the leading edge of the low-carbon economy.
We’re developing a pioneering hydrogen network in Buckhaven and Denbeath that will bring renewable hydrogen into homes, providing zero-carbon fuel for heating and cooking. The network will heat up to 300 local homes using carbon-free hydrogen gas produced by a dedicated electrolysis plant, powered by a nearby offshore wind turbine.
The system will be designed and built to ensure the same high 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.
Timeline
Commissioning has now begun at the state-of-the-art production and storage site at Fife Energy Park. This significant step means the electrolyser will begin producing green hydrogen for the first time for our demonstration homes, management buildings, and storage facilities.
This builds on significant progress made over the past year, including the construction of a new hydrogen gas network, the installation of a 5MW alkaline water electrolyser alongside six hydrogen storage tanks, the upskilling of more than 70 Gas Safe registered engineers at our dedicated hydrogen training centre, and the opening of Scotland’s first hydrogen demonstration homes.
Preparations are now underway for the next phase, connecting customer homes to the network, which will begin on a rolling basis in the new year. This timing is to avoid work during the busy festive period and the coldest part of winter, when it is important to keep any disruption to customers at a minimum.