Norwegian energy firm Statkraft is moving forward with plans to develop a green hydrogen production facility at Hunterston, a former coal terminal located in Ayrshire, Scotland, the company said on Friday.
An option agreement has been signed with Clydeport, part of Peel Ports Group, to explore the development of the facility at the Hunterston Port and Resource Campus (PARC). The proposed site would enable the production, storage, and export of hydrogen, including shipment via ammonia using the existing jetty infrastructure.
“Hunterston is an ideal home for this facility, given its location and outstanding infrastructure,” said Stuart Marley, principal hydrogen project manager at Statkraft. “Hydrogen is an important tool in addressing the emissions from carbon-intensive industries, and we look forward to progressing our plans for the site.”
The initiative forms part of wider redevelopment efforts at Hunterston, a site that Peel Ports Group aims to transform into a hub for low-carbon industries. Other projects already underway include XLCC’s subsea cable factory, Highview Power’s planned Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) facility, and an aquaculture project led by Bakkafrost.
“This is a very exciting new development for Hunterston,” said Lewis McIntyre, managing director for port services at Peel Ports Group. “Hydrogen is vital to the energy transition, and we’re proud to play our part in making such a development possible here on the west coast of Scotland.”
He added: “It is testament to Hunterston’s vast potential to house a range of innovative renewables projects. Not only are we bringing a brownfield site back into economic use, it will contribute massively to inward investment and job creation in a region that desperately needs it.”
Earlier this month, Statkraft announced it would halt the development of new green hydrogen projects due to global market uncertainty. However, the company confirmed it would continue advancing existing UK projects and seek investment partners to bring them into construction and operation phases.
Peel Ports has also secured planning permission for a £150 million redevelopment of the site’s marine yard, which is expected to support offshore wind operations. The company said discussions are ongoing with multiple potential tenants and developers. The full redevelopment of the Hunterston site is projected to attract up to £3.5 billion in investment and generate over 5,000 jobs.
