The planned hub will feature a hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility, located at Hareness Road, Aberdeen, which will be powered by electricity generated at a solar farm to be installed on the former Ness landfill site.

Aberdeen City Council co-leader, Councillor Ian Yuill, said: “This investment by the council and bp is an important step towards the delivery of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project. Aberdeen has been a leader among cities in bringing hydrogen to market for public transport and council fleet vehicles. This project is central to our vision to increase the supply and demand for hydrogen as a fuel in support of the city’s net zero vision.”

Aberdeen City Council co-leader, Councillor Christian Allard, added: “A just transition is something we have done in Aberdeen for more than 10 years – and this is another step towards the net zero future that everyone wants. Who would have thought that we would have a solar farm helping to create green hydrogen here in Aberdeen? The project will establish the city as the Net Zero capital of Europe.”

Dr Oliver Taylor, chief executive for bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited, said: “This is an exciting milestone for the project, Aberdeen, and its people. Not only does the hydrogen hub support bp and Aberdeen City Council’s shared ambition for the city’s future, it also presents a growth opportunity for the region’s supply chain and skills development.”

bp senior vice president Europe, Louise Kingham, added: “Aberdeen City Council deserves a huge amount of credit for showing leadership as they progress their plans to deliver lower carbon energy solutions and, for bp, this is further evidence of how we are backing Britain by investing in support of today’s energy needs and those of tomorrow.”

Following this decision, the joint venture intends to proceed towards commencement of construction activities, which are expected to begin before the end of 2024. Targeting production from 2026, once operational the hub will have the potential to deliver up to around 300 tonnes of green hydrogen a year through the initial phase of the project, enough to fuel 25 buses and a similar number of other fleet vehicles per day.