How a derelict coal terminal will drive the UK’s renewable energy revolution
An artist's impression of the completed Hunterston site
James McSporran, Port Director, Peel Ports Clydeport
| Peel Ports
Huge sums are being invested to transform 350 vacant acres on Scotland’s west coast to support offshore wind and solar connections, adding to the UK’s renewables supply chain infrastructure and boosting a deprived economy.
Ever heard of liquid air energy storage (LAES)? The technology could transform the UK energy sector with its ability to capture and release excess energy better than battery equivalents.
Highview Power made headlines last month announcing it is set to construct the world’s largest LAES facility at Hunterston, the former Ayrshire coal terminal.
Hunterston is on the verge of becoming a major facilitator of the UK’s energy transition, proving the north and east are not the only players when it comes to renewables – the west coast also has a huge role.
Packing enough power to supply energy to 650,000 homes for over 12.5 hours, the LAES facility’s construction will create 1,000 jobs, generating thousands more in the wider supply chain.
This is the latest in a string of substantial renewables projects that are underway or in the pipeline at Hunterston.
At Peel Ports Clydeport, we recently announced our intention to invest up to £150m in transforming Hunterston into a leading renewables hub; now our focus is on preparing it to support offshore wind and the wider renewables sector
Our plans for Hunterston reflect Peel Ports Group’s ambition to be at the heart of the UK’s net-zero future: meeting the booming demand along the west coast (and the east coast of Ireland) by leveraging our ports to service developments there. That allows us to work with our local construction partners, facilitating efficient, port-centric renewables supply chains.
The idea that the UK lacks the necessary infrastructure for a just transition is simply a myth. Scotland, particularly, already has the reputation, infrastructure and talent to support renewables projects, meet national environmental aspirations, create long-term green jobs, and unlock local and national economic growth opportunities.
We can only make this vision a reality if more businesses like ours are willing to invest heavily in it. For that to happen at scale, we need policymakers to work with us to establish the right investment conditions.
Legislating and regulating at local level, however, to address environmental issues in shipping – an intrinsically global industry – remains a challenge, one we look forward to tackling head-on with MPs and other policymakers.
In the meantime, we are working hard to bring our aspirations to life. We currently estimate the consenting process for the Hunterston redevelopment will be complete by early 2025, followed by two years of construction.
Hunterston is poised to attract £3.5bn in investment and create over 5,000 jobs, generating a ripple effect for the local economy by offering high-quality jobs, skills, and training.
90 per cent of the site is already under option: XLCC’s UK-first undersea energy cable factory will connect the nation with solar farms in north Africa; the site will also be home to Bakkafrost’s onshore aquaculture facility, and the UK’s first hub for the manufacturing of gravity bases. Advanced talks are underway with several more potential tenants.
Harnessing the vast potential of sites like Hunterston will be key to the UK achieving its net-zero goals and a just transition, and the knock-on benefits for the local and national economies cannot be overstated.
Now is the time for us to work collaboratively with policymakers to create the conditions we need to bring our vision for Hunterston to life. Its scale, impact and, above all, its potential, must not go underestimated.
For more information visit www.hunterstonparc.com.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
