Under the proposals, a 20-megawatt electrolyser will be developed next to the UK’s largest onshore wind farm at Whitelee and will use surplus renewable electricity from the wind farm as well as power from a proposed new 40-megawatt solar farm and a 50-megawatt battery storage project to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

ScottishPower said the facility would be able to produce up to eight tonnes of hydrogen per day. It aims to supply hydrogen to the commercial market before 2023.

Green hydrogen gets its name because the process to create the hydrogen is powered by green sources like solar or wind power. These renewable sources power an electrolyser which separates water into hydrogen and oxygen gases and then the hydrogen can be used, distributed or stored depending on the energy needs of businesses.

ScottishPower’s hydrogen director Barry Carruthers said: “With all eyes set to be on Glasgow later this year as the city hosts the UN’s 26th climate change conference, COP26, it’s fantastic to be making this next important step towards delivering green hydrogen for Glasgow.

“Whitelee keeps breaking barriers, first the UK’s largest onshore windfarm, and soon to be home to the UK’s largest electrolyser. The site has played a vital role in helping the UK to decarbonise and we look forward to delivering another vital form of zero carbon energy generation at the site to help Glasgow and Scotland achieve their net zero goals.”

Mark Griffin, hydrogen market development manager for Clean Fuels at BOC said the scale of the project highlighted the growing demand for clean hydrogen, adding that the company was “delighted to bring our hydrogen mobility and refuelling project expertise to help deliver a ground-breaking facility in Glasgow.”

“Green hydrogen has a vital role to play in Scotland and the wider UK’s journey to Net Zero emissions providing a sustainable energy source that can provide clean, renewable energy for industries, heavy transport and companies for decades to come.”

ScottishPower expects a decision on the planning application in the autumn.