A pioneering new renewable energy project, which could boost the development of the UK’s green hydrogen industry, offers potential customers the chance to secure a supply of green energy.
Knockshinnoch: The revolutionary green hydrogen project for environmentally-friendly transport
The new 2.5 megawatt site, located at Knockshinnoch near New Cumnock in Ayrshire, will use wind power to create green hydrogen off-grid. The project was one of the few to receive a grant from the UK government’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund earlier this year. The project will offer potential buyers access to green hydrogen from the start of production, scheduled for summer 2025.
Renantis, the global renewable energy developer and operator, is leading the development of the project in partnership with Logan Energy, which manufactures and installs hydrogen energy systems, and Hive Hydrogen, a hydrogen project and supply chain developer. The green hydrogen produced at Knockshinnoch could be used by UK transport companies and local authorities to power hydrogen-powered trucks and buses, producing only water as a waste product.
The fuel will be eligible to apply for Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates, which will help them meet the UK government’s requirements to increase the use of renewable fuels in the transport sector.
A green revolution for industrial processes: How green hydrogen transforms manufacturing and reduces emissions
Industrial processes, such as those used in manufacturing, could also benefit, by replacing fossil energy or existing fossil-intensive raw materials with green hydrogen. The technology used in the Knockshinnoch project produces green hydrogen by using electricity generated by the site’s wind turbines to power electrolysis equipment that splits water molecules to create hydrogen.
The entire process is emission-free. By promoting hydrogen production in remote locations, such as Knockshinnoch, the UK’s off-grid renewable energy opportunities can be exploited, avoiding the need for costly grid connection infrastructure works. The project will also enable local communities to co-invest in green hydrogen and share in any future successes.
The vanguard green hydrogen project: An opportunity for a renewable energy future in the UK
Stefano Socci, Head of Hydrogen at Renantis, said: “Green hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in the UK’s future energy mix, which is why projects like this are so important. The sector is still in its infancy and many challenges remain, but this project is at the forefront of how green hydrogen could be produced and used locally without the need to connect it to the grid.”
“By entering into discussions with potential customers who share our vision of a fully renewable future, we are taking another step towards producing green hydrogen on a scale that not only has commercial benefits for all parties, but also helps to decarbonize the energy sector in the long term.”
Josh Williamson, director of HIVE Hydrogen, which is leading the project’s off-taker engagement process, said, “This project represents a great opportunity, not only for UK off-grid renewables, but also to deliver emissions savings in areas critical to end-users.”
Customers interested in commercial discussions must have potential demand volumes of up to six tonnes of green hydrogen per week.
