Planning application submitted for Green Cat Hydrogen’s Creca Hydrogen Facility
Project reaches key milestone following a successful public consultation period
Green Cat Hydrogen, a developer of renewable-powered electrolytic hydrogen projects, is pleased to announce that it has submitted a planning application for its proposed Creca Hydrogen Facility to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
This step follows a successful consultation exercise, which gave the public the opportunity to view the plans, learn more from the project team and provide feedback. Work has now also been completed on the ground investigations and environmental assessments for the project, with engineering studies underway.
If approved, the Creca Hydrogen Facility will include hydrogen production, storage and associated logistics. It will boost the local economy with around 50 high-skilled jobs during operation, plus 150 jobs during construction.
Drawing on locally generated renewable electricity, the facility has the potential to act as a demand response facility, helping to manage electricity curtailment in the South of Scotland. The green hydrogen produced at the facility – up to 4,000 tonnes per year – will be used to decarbonise local industries, resulting in CO2 emissions reductions of up to 26,000 tonnes per annum.
The project will be delivered in South of Scotland Enterprise’s Energy Transition Zone – which aims to attract inward investment for green energy production. If approved, the facility is expected to enter commercial operation in 2028, the project will help to kickstart the development of the main Chapelcross site, as part of the Chapelcross Masterplan. The main Chapelcross site is being taken forward by CX Power, as announced in early November.
The proposed facility would be in the heart of Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, which covers the whole of the South of Scotland and aims to accelerate solutions to the twin global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Gavin Catto, CEO at Green Cat Hydrogen, said: “The submission of our planning application represents the significant, positive progress we are making towards our project at Creca.
“We were pleased to see positive local interest and engagement during the consultation period, and valued the opportunity to meet with the public to discuss in full the exciting opportunities the project offers to the local area.
“Green hydrogen is an important part of the Scottish energy mix, driving green growth opportunities in communities across the country. From construction to operation, this project will provide skilled employment opportunities, support wider energy security and create resilient local supply chains. We look forward to enabling the decarbonisation of food and drink, manufacturing and public sector industries across the region.
“We will continue to work closely with South of Scotland Enterprise, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to ensure our shared vision for Chapelcross, as a major hub for green technologies, is turned into reality.”
Jane Morrison-Ross, CEO at South of Scotland Enterprise, said: “This is a significant step forward for Green Cat Hydrogen, SOSE’s Energy Transition Zone and the future of the overall Chapelcross site.
“SOSE is committed to working with our partners to create an environment for investment and growth, with Chapelcross key to achieving that ambition.
“If approved, Green Cat Hydrogen’s plans will help anchor the region’s energy transition and will provide high skilled jobs for the local area.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Green Cat Hydrogen
Green Cat Hydrogen was established in 2022 with a core focus on reducing emissions in carbon-intensive sectors across the country. It is developing several green hydrogen projects across Scotland, including another site in Perthshire, as well as a facility in Dumfries & Galloway.
The wider Green Cat group has been operating for 20 years, developing and supporting renewable energy projects across the UK and Canada.
In 2023, Green Cat Hydrogen received a multi-million-pound investment from RWE Energy Transitions Investments. This is allowing us to rapidly grow our team and expand our portfolio of projects.
Chapelcross Masterplan
The Chapelcross Masterplan is a joint initiative between the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). The area has also been identified as a Hydrogen Hub location by the Scottish Government and as an area for hydrogen production under the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).
Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone
More information on Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone is available here.
A PDF of this press release can be found here.