In collaboration with Subsea 7 SA, Simply Blue Energy is building the 200 MW Salamander floating wind project off the coast of Scotland. They announced a collaboration that will use hydrogen technology in the project.
Salamander has signed a memorandum of understanding with ERM to deploy the ERM Dolphyn hydrogen technology, which combines electrolysis, desalination, and hydrogen generation on a floating wind platform, with the hydrogen being piped onshore.
The arrangement might result in the world’s first combined floating wind and green hydrogen plant. It would help the UK government meet its objectives of 1 GW of floating wind and 5 GW of green hydrogen by 2030. ERM Dolphyn plans to start with a 10 MW pilot plant before expanding Salamander.
The Salamander plan is also collaborating with Scotland Gas Networks on potential connections to future 100 per cent hydrogen infrastructure or as a blend in the present gas grid. The Salamander project is aiming for a lease under the forthcoming Innovation & Decarbonisation leasing process. Moreover, it will present its ambitious green hydrogen ideas to Crown Estate Scotland and Marine Scotland. Scotland is a leader in floating offshore wind, having installed the world’s first floating array, the Hywind Scotland project. In addition to this project, the Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm Phases 1 and 2 were recently completed, increasing Scotland’s total floating offshore wind capacity to 80 MW.
