A proposed green hydrogen plant would operate 24/7 to produce up to 160 tonnes of ammonia per day, according to newly released plans.
Statkraft’s latest update on its Tagdale facility also shows how the ammonia would be exported by tanker from a new jetty at Dales Voe.
The energy company announced in November it would be progressing plans for green ammonia at Tagdale – a site round 3.5km north-west of Lerwick.
New details for the project have now emerged in an environmental impact assessment, which was lodged this week with the SIC.
According to the 231-page report, the project would support the UK’s transition to net zero by using renewable energy and wastewater to produce green hydrogen, which would then be converted into green ammonia.
The development would comprise up to 70MW of electrolyser units, which would be connected to the National Grid via the approved Mossy Hill substation.
The substation is to built to the southwest of the proposed development, near to the Mossy Hill windfarm, which Statkraft is also developing.
Power taken from the grid would be purchased via a “green supply agreement” with “temporal matching” of renewables.
The EIA states the facility would produce up to 160 tonnes of green ammonia per day.
It says this could be used in the existing ammonia market as a feedstock for fertiliser or an ingredient for industrial chemicals. It also highlights new uses for ammonia including as fuel for engines or fuel cells – especially in the maritime industry.
The ammonia would be produced using nitrogen, taken from the air via a separation unit, and hydrogen produced from the electrolysis of water from the Lerwick waste water treatment works.
Nitrogen and hydrogen would then be combined through a method known as the Haber-Bosch process, producing ammonia.
Historically, most of the hydrogen used in the Haber-Bosch process has been extracted from natural gas in a process that releases substantial volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
By using green hydrogen, Statkraft says offering a pathway for decarbonising hard to abate sectors.
The ammonia would be exported by ship, with pipelines connecting the production plant with the a new export jetty located to the south of the shipyard at Dales Voe.. This will be subject to the relevant marine related consents.
The EIA says the facility would produce two waste products. Oxygen would be vented into the atmosphere and the water would be returned to the Lerwick wastewater treatment works.
Due to the nature of the works proposed, the site will be required to operate on a 24/7 basis throughout the year.
Lighting would also be needed for operational activities during the hours of darkness.
As previously reported, Statkraft also intends to capture heat from the process to support the Lerwick district heating scheme – enabling more households to connect and benefit from cheaper bills,
Announcing the start of the project in November, Statkraft said the facility could be up and running by 2029.
Brie Foster, Statkraft’s Hydrogen Project Manager, said: “Confirmation of Statkraft’s second Shetland green hydrogen to ammonia project shows the huge potential of the area to be a hub for innovative technologies.
“This project will play an important role in helping deliver food and energy security at home, as well as contribute more widely to the transition to cleaner energy.”
Green hydrogen plant would be operational 24/7 producing up to 160 tonnes of ammonia per day
Statkraft’s Tagdale green hydrogen plant would export ammonia from new jetty at Dales Voe
