Hydrogen refuelling station opens in Aberdeen
News
11 Mar 2015
The first UK hydrogen bus refuelling station has opened in Aberdeen as part of a £19 million green transport project. The Aberdeen City Council led project aims to test the economic and environmental advantages of hydrogen transport technologies.
Councillor Jenny Laing said: "As a leading world energy city determined to anchor the renewables industry in the North East of Scotland, the success of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project is real coup. We have a very clear Hydrogen Strategy for the future and are on the cusp of realising our aspiration of becoming a world-leading city for low carbon technology, while maintaining our position as a leading world energy city."
The project has been funded by Scottish, UK and European partners including Innovate UK, Scottish Enterprise, Aberdeen City Council, Stagecoach and the Scotland Gas Network. These organisations hope that the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project will open the way for new, innovative hydrogen technology projects and accelerate the commercial use of green transport solutions.
Stewart Reid, head of Future Networks at Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, said: “Innovation is driving the move to a low carbon economy and it’s great to see a project develop from an idea through to delivery. We are delighted to have been part of this project and it’s great to see it up and running. New technologies, like Aberdeen’s hydrogen fuelled buses, will play a crucial role in balancing the country’s future energy needs, while helping to keep the costs of energy down.”
First Aberdeen managing director David Phillips said: "We are delighted to be a partner in this exciting and ground-breaking project for Aberdeen. Our four hydrogen-powered vehicles are already out in service and proving really popular with customers. The hydrogen buses complement our £4.3m investment last year in 26 micro-hybrid vehicles, one of the world's most fuel-efficient buses. Investment in environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art vehicles is key to our strategy, with the hydrogen buses very much our flagships."
The Bus Project is part of the Hydrogen Transport Economy transnational project which works with EU partners around the North Sea to facilitate transnational co-operation and learning and enhance the competitiveness of the North Sea Region in hydrogen development.
