Plans for controversial hydrogen plant near Kintore recommended for approval
Statera Energy is seeking approval for its 3GW Kintore Hydrogen project that if approved by Aberdeenshire Councill would be one of the largest sites of its kind in Europe.
Plans to build one of Europe’s largest hydrogen production plants on the edge of Kintore have been recommended for approval despite dozens of objections and concerns from a local committee.
Statera Energy is seeking approval for its 3GW Kintore Hydrogen project that they say would create up to 3,500 construction jobs, and 300 roles once operational.
The facility is being designed to use surplus energy from offshore wind turbines and water from the River Don to create green hydrogen.
It would also have a link between the electrolysis plant and Kintore substation, along with an underground pipeline to export hydrogen to National Gas’s national transmission system.
The plans however have not been welcomed by all, with 15 letters of support outweighed by 83 objections, and calls for plans to be refused by Garioch councillors.
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Local authority planners argued that despite the likely visual impacts of the plant, issues could be resolved at the full planning stage.
Historic Environment Scotland was among those that sent an objection to Aberdeenshire Council, saying it would have an “unacceptable significant impact” on the South Leylodge steading stone circle.
The application had previously been presented to the Garioch Area Committee on March 25, with concerns raised over the proposed plant.
It was agreed to recommend the plans go to Full Council, urging they are refused on the grounds of the impact of the landscape, loss of woodland and greenfield land, and the noise and visual impacts.
It was argued that the climate change benefits of a new hydrogen plant do not outweigh the negative impacts of the proposals.
Plans have since however been recommended for approval despite the risk of “significant impacts” in the area on the outskirts of Kintore as the plant would support the “ambitious” national and regional hydrogen targets.
Council documents state:
Whilst the development would have several significant impacts (local landscape and visual impacts, impacts upon cultural heritage), the benefits of the scheme as they relate to increasing national hydrogen production and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions (therefore combatting climate change) would outweigh these.
Aberdeenshire councillors will discuss the application at a meeting on Thursday, April 24.
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Plans for controversial hydrogen plant near Kintore recommended for approval, source
