Aberdeenshire Council back Kintore hydrogen plant
Planning approval in principle granted
Plans for a massive hydrogen production plant in Aberdeenshire have been approved in principle by councillors. It was granted by 43 to 16, with one no vote recorded.
Statera Energy are behind what would be the UK's biggest development of its kind, to be built near Kintore.
They say it'll create more than 3,000 construction jobs and around 300 once the plant's operational.
Developers say it can establish region as global energy leader
Senior development manager William Summerlin said : “Businesses up and down Aberdeenshire are standing ready to tender for this project.
Fabrication yards in Aberdeen and throughout the Shire are well-positioned to become assembly yards for electrolyser equipment.
Kintore makes use of abundant Scottish wind power converting it into a different energy carrier, hydrogen, transporting it via our existing and repurposed gas pipelines that lie underground already.
The project can also enable offshore wind investment, sustaining the north-east as a global energy leader.”
Disappointment for opponents to the project
But there had been over 80 letters of objection. East Garioch councillor Jim Gifford had called for the application to be refused, as he was concerned about where the site is and the effects it has on the people around it.
“The effect on the residents and the amenity on those who have been living there for many years is going to be substantial and I don’t think that’s something we should inflict on them if we have a choice. It’s a real challenge for folk living there and they need some protection."
What happens next
Aberdeenshire Council will now issue a note to the Scottish Government, advising their decision to support the application.
This is needed due to the objection received by Historic Environment Scotland.
As for the proposal itself, planners will draw up more detailed planning application that will be submitted at a later date.