Energy giant SSE is proposing producing 1,600 tonnes of hydrogen gas a year using surplus electricity from a Highland wind farm.
The hydrogen could be used as an alternative fuel for vehicles, heating systems and industrial processes.
SSE has notified Highland Council's north planning applications committee of its hope to build a hydrogen electrolyser plant at its Gordonbush Wind Farm near Brora in Sutherland.
The plant would be powered by electricity surplus to the needs of the national power grid.
The proposed 1.87ha development could produce 1,600 tonnes of hydrogen a year and around 8 tonnes of hydrogen a day during peak production, according to the council document.
Alongside modular electrolysis units and fixed hydrogen storage and storage tube trailers, the project would contain an auxiliary process plant, dispenser units, infrastructure for water supply and treatment, internal access roads, foundations, perimeter fencing and security lighting.
A separate Battery Energy Storage Site (BESS) proposal is also being brought forward in parallel with the hydrogen facility which would be capable of storing surplus electricity generated from the wind farm.
It would have a generating capacity of 20MW and require around 16 containers to house lithium-ion batteries, which would be located close to the wind farm’s substation and underground connection to the grid.
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