Agenda item

That the Committee support the work carried out to date in partnership with the NWEAB to consider the options for a hydrogen energy hub in Deeside.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced a report to provide an update on the work carried out to date by Jacobs to develop a Strategic Business Case (SBC) for a new hydrogen hub at Deeside.  She provided background information and advised that the low carbon energy programme presented an opportunity for North Wales to be established as a leading UK location for low carbon energy generation.  She reported that the Growth Deal, which was for the whole North Wales region, had allocated £11.4million to the Deeside Hydrogen Hub project. Whilst the Hydrogen Hub project was Flintshire focussed it presented huge opportunities for the whole of North Wales.   The Chief Officer reported on the key points as detailed in the report. 

The Chief Officer referred to the subject of electric  vehicles which had been raised in discussion during the meeting and said due to the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030 there was a push towards electric vehicles which would play an important part in the future of transport.  She advised that following the strategy produced by the WG for electric and vehicle charging a transition plan was being developed and the Authority was working closely with the Welsh Government’s energy teams on implementation.

Responding to Councillor Paul Shotton’s comments in support of the benefits of the hydrogen project, the Chief Officer advised that the project manager had contacted a number of local industries/businesses to discuss how they could be involved going forward.  She explained that the strategic business case was currently assessing demand for hydrogen across the region and said there was a need to develop infrastructure to give companies confidence to invest in vehicles.  In response to the further comments by Councillor Shotton, the Chief Officer advised that only “green” hydrogen was being considered at the present time, however, there was the potential to use “blue” hydrogen first and then move into “green”  and this was being considered.

Councillor Glyn Banks referred to  the proposal to create a hydrogen hub in Deeside (referred to as a hydrogen bunkering facility) and asked if it could be built larger and underground.  The Chief Officer explained that the size of the bunker would depend on the demand required which was unknown at the current time but would be identified as business cases progressed.  The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) responded to the further question raised by Councillor Banks regarding the use of  “blue” and “green” hydrogen and explained the difference between them.  He advised that the drive for the Deeside project was for “green” hydrogen as it did not produce the carbon by-product which had to be stored or moved elsewhere.

The recommendation was moved and seconded by Councillors Paul Shotton and Joe Johnson.

RESOLVED:

That the work carried out to date in partnership with the NWEAB to consider the options for a hydrogen energy hub in Deeside be supported.