5MW solar farm to power Dorset Green Hydrogen

The 5MW Whites Pit solar farm in Wimborne, Dorset, has been commissioned by renewable energy Ethical Power to provide power to the Dorset Green Hydrogen project.

The solar project has been commissioned on behalf of Canford Renewable Energy, an operator and developer of energy infrastructure, to power its first green hydrogen project – a 0.9MW electrolyser.

Whites Pit solar farm consists of 12,430 solar modules that have been installed across a 26-acre landfill site. This had been energised in October 2022. The green energy produced via the solar farm will provide green energy to the electrolyser throughout its design lifetime of 30 years.

The green hydrogen produced at the site, which could reach up to 120,000kg per year, will be compressed, stored and sold for local and regional use as a carbon free fuel. This will help decarbonise large vehicle fleets in Dorset.

“Brownfield developments are typically more complex than greenfield projects,” said Neil Buck, managing director of Ethical Power.

“To successfully build on a landfill site, you need a deep understanding of the complexities around existing land use, challenging ground conditions and the specific mounting structure requirements. Whites Pit was a difficult project but together with the Canford team we managed to find solutions that ensured the correct multi-tech infrastructure and controls are in place and we confidently met the energisation date.” 

Ethical Power was the EPC contractor for the Whites Pit solar park built on a closed former landfill owned by Canford Renewable Energy. The scope of works by Ethical Power Group companies also included development consultancy and due diligence, civils and reinstatement works and technical due diligence throughout the construction phase.

“We are delighted to be able to put this old landfill site to further use producing renewable energy and zero-emission green hydrogen,” said Nathan Ross, managing director of Canford Renewable Energy.

“This will benefit the Dorset economy and further reduce its carbon footprint. The Dorset Green Hydrogen project is also a catalyst for the development of a hydrogen economy in the South West.”

A number of solar farms across the UK are being developed in order to supply renewable energy for green hydrogen production – a clean energy carrier that can be utilised to decarbonise heavy industries, vehicle fleets, shipping and more.

In October 2022, Statkraft unveiled its first UK-based green hydrogen project in Pembrokeshire, which will harness solar energy to generate the clean energy carrier. The Trecwn Green Energy Hub will utilise green hydrogen as a fuel for zero-emission buses, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), trains and industry in Wales. This will reduce the overall carbon footprint of the transportation sector.

Prior to this, EDF Renewables confirmed it was looking to develop a 49.9MW solar farm to power a new green hydrogen production facility in Teesside.

Solar Power Portal's publisher Solar Media will host the Green Hydrogen Summit on 18-19 April 2023 in Lisbon. The event will explore green hydrogen’s role in shipping, its production, supply chains, financing and renewable hydrogen derivatives and their applications. For more information, go to the website.