Uniper plans to develop large-scale, low carbon hydrogen production at its Ratcliffe power station site
- The ambition is to gradually scale-up to a total electrolysis hydrogen production capacity of 500 MW by the turn of the decade, subject to a successful financial decision
- The project will contribute towards transforming the site to a zero carbon technology and energy hub following the Local Development Order (LDO) decision in July
- Hydrogen produced could be used to decarbonise heavy industry, transport and potentially power across the East Midlands
- Uniper aims to build more than 1 GW of electrolyser capacity across its core markets by 2030.
Uniper has outlined its plans to produce low carbon hydrogen, using electrolysis technology, at its Ratcliffe power station site in Nottinghamshire, once the plant has stopped generating at the end of September 2024.
Our ambition is to gradually scale-up to a total electrolysis hydrogen production capacity of 500 MW by the turn of the decade. The first 100 MW is targeted to be commissioned in the second half of the 2020’s. This is subject to a successful financial decision and a number or pre-conditions that would have to be satisfied; including securing the necessary planning consents and environmental permit, hydrogen offtake agreements and a Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement with the Government.
The hydrogen produced could then be used to decarbonise industry, transport and power throughout the East Midlands.
Hydrogen production is a key pillar of Uniper’s new strategy, and our aim is to build more than 1 GW of electrolyser capacity across the business by 2030.
The potential development will contribute to transforming the site to a zero carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands, once the plant has stopped generating. This follows a decision by Rushcliffe Borough Council on 13 July, to grant a Local Development Order (LDO), giving outline planning permission for specific types of development including low-carbon energy production, at the site which is also part of the East Midlands Freeport and the East Midlands Hydrogen initiative, which was established by D2N2 alongside other stakeholders.
The potential development at Ratcliffe will build on learning from Uniper’s H2 Maasvlakte project in the Netherlands. Our Maasvlakte project is currently undertaking a Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study and due to start hydrogen production later this decade.
We’re excited about the potential for low carbon hydrogen production at Ratcliffe. We are working closely with regional stakeholders and partners as part of the recently launched East Midlands Hydrogen initiative and there’s a really joined up picture emerging with significant potential demand for hydrogen.
“Ratcliffe is in a great location, with good transport links and excellent utilities infrastructure. It has the potential to support the UK’s hydrogen and decarbonisation ambitions, creating new high-skilled employment opportunities and ensuring the site continues to make a valuable contribution to the regional economy.
Notes to editors
Ratcliffe power station will close at the end of September 2024 in line with the UK government’s policy to end coal fired power generation.
Ratcliffe is an ideal location for large-scale low carbon hydrogen production because it offers several synergies, including:
• Existing infrastructure: grid connections, demineralised water, and a cooling water system from existing power plants;
• Large plot space to facilitate future electrolysis based hydrogen production up to GW scale
• The site is part of the East Midlands Freeport, providing benefits for future investors and developers at the site, and support for innovation and decarbonisation.
• The site is surrounded by potential future hydrogen customers from a range of sectors engaging through the East Coast Hydrogen project and the East Midlands Hydrogen initiative.
• Uniper will be one of the speakers at the East Midlands Hydrogen event on 22nd September. For more information visit: https://d2n2lep.org/former-megawatt-valley-to-metamorphose-into-hydrogen-heartland-with-the-launch-of-east-midlands-hydrogen-the-uks-largest-inland-hydrogen-cluster/
About Uniper
Düsseldorf-based Uniper is an international energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. The company and its roughly 7,000 employees make an important contribution to supply security in Europe, particularly in its core markets of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Uniper’s operations encompass power generation in Europe, global energy trading, and a broad gas portfolio. Uniper procures gas—including liquefied natural gas (LNG)—and other energy sources on global markets. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities with a total capacity of more than 7 billion cubic meters.
Uniper intends to be completely carbon-neutral by 2040. Uniper aims for its installed power generating capacity to be more than 80% zero-carbon by 2030. To achieve this, the company is transforming its power plants and facilities and investing in flexible, dispatchable power generating units. Uniper is already one of Europe’s largest operators of hydropower plants and is helping further expand solar and wind power, which are essential for a more sustainable and secure future. The company is progressively expanding its gas portfolio to include green gases like hydrogen and biomethane and aims to convert to these gases over the long term.
Uniper is a reliable partner for communities, municipal utilities, and industrial enterprises for planning and implementing innovative, lower-carbon solutions on their decarbonization journey. Uniper is a hydrogen pioneer, is active worldwide along the entire hydrogen value chain, and is conducting projects to make hydrogen a mainstay of the energy supply.
About Uniper UK
In the UK, Uniper owns and operates a flexible generation portfolio of seven power stations, a fast-cycle gas storage facility and two high pressure gas pipelines, from Theddlethorpe to Killingholme and from Blyborough to Cottam. We also have significant long-term regasification capacity at the Grain LNG terminal in Kent, to convert LNG back to natural gas.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.