First-of-its-kind project: The Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder becomes the UK’s first hydrogen-to-power project to gain planning consent.
ERM’s critical role: ERM led the planning, permitting, and licensing process, enabling green hydrogen energy production and storage.
Strategic hydrogen network: The project lays groundwork for a broader low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure, including storage and pipeline initiatives.
ERM, the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, has helped SSE and Equinor secure planning consent for the UK’s first hydrogen-to-power project — the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder — marking a key milestone in the country’s clean energy transition.
Located at SSE Thermal and Equinor’s existing gas storage site on the East Yorkshire coast, the project will use grid-sourced renewable electricity under a Power Purchase Agreement to produce hydrogen via electrolysis. This hydrogen will be stored on-site and later used in a hydrogen-fired open cycle gas turbine, delivering flexible green power back to the grid during times of high demand.
ERM provided end-to-end support for the planning application process, including environmental permitting, safety, and marine licensing.
“ERM’s technical expertise helped us deliver a complex planning application that was critical to securing consent for the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project,” said Sally O’Brien, Senior Project Manager on the project.
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Beyond the Pathfinder initiative, ERM is also advising on the consenting process for the Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage project and the Humber Hydrogen Pipeline, which will connect producers and consumers across the region to a low-carbon hydrogen network.
“ERM welcomed the opportunity to support this pioneering project that will pave the way for wider deployment of hydrogen power,” said Russell Cullen, Partner at ERM. “We look forward to working further with SSE and Equinor to navigate the energy transition and help the UK deliver on its low-carbon economy ambitions.”
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