SSE & Siemens Gamesa to Produce Hydrogen at Gordonbush Wind Farm

Leading low-carbon energy company SSE has taken the next step in its green hydrogen push with SSE Renewables and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy unveiling plans to produce and deliver green hydrogen through electrolysis, using renewable energy from SSE’s 100MW-plus Gordonbush onshore wind farm in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands.Under the new plans, green hydrogen would be produced by SSE Renewables at Gordonbush wind farm using Siemens Gamesa’s Renewable Hydrogen Upgrade solution. The green hydrogen could then be used as a clean alternative to petrol, diesel or natural gas to help decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as industry, transport and manufacturing. The move follows last year’s agreement between both companies to explore opportunities to produce green hydrogen on co-located onshore wind farm sites.The plans unveiled by SSE Renewables would see the integration of Siemens Gamesa’s Renewable Hydrogen Upgrade at its Gordonbush site near Brora, comprising electrolyser and ancillary technology. The facility would be capable of producing up to 2,000 tonnes of green hydrogen each year using wind energy generated at Gordonbush, helping the UK and Scottish Governments in reaching their net zero targets, while supporting the UK’s goal of hitting 5 gigawatts (GW) of low carbon hydrogen production by 2030.The overall development would also include a battery energy storage system which would be capable of storing any surplus, or constrained, renewable energy produced by the wind farm at times of excess wind on the electrical grid. This would allow such excess green energy to be stored in lithium-ion batteries for possible later use, including the potential to power the electrolyser for green hydrogen production or to dispatch to the national grid at times when the wind is not blowing. Deployed at scale, the technology can help balance the grid by smoothing out the natural variability of wind – meaning wind power can provide both clean and secure energy supplies.The project will also see SSE Renewables working to explore opportunities to unlock the full potential of the green hydrogen value chain in the Scottish Highlands and support Scotland’s emerging green hydrogen economy. This will include working with potential green hydrogen customers from high carbon sectors looking to decarbonise their energy and fuel supplies.The operational Gordonbush Wind Farm and the recently completed Extension are situated in an area between 2km north west and 10 km west of Brora. Gordonbush comprises a total of 46 onshore turbines, including 11 of the latest Siemens Gamesa turbines forming the extension to the site, generating up to 108 megawatts (MW) of wind-powered electricity, enough renewable energy to power over 105,000 Scottish homes each year.

SSE & Siemens Gamesa to Produce Hydrogen at Gordonbush Wind Farm

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