United Kingdom – McDermott International has joined a group of industry experts working to realize the potential of a hydrogen-fueled energy hub in Bacton, Norfolk, UK.

The Bacton Energy Hub (BEH) project is being spearheaded by the UK North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), which could play a significant role in the UK’s energy future and become a critical component in its transition to net zero emissions.

By 2030, the project aims to provide a reliable hydrogen supply by constructing facilities that support low-carbon hydrogen production, carbon capture, and underground storage (CCUS). It also plans to develop renewable hydrogen production as part of the energy supply transition by 2050, thanks to the development of offshore wind.

Renewable hydrogen

The NSTA has formed five Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to collaborate on a development concept that can be implemented. Hydrogen Supply, Hydrogen Demand, Regulatory, Supply Chain and Technology, and Infrastructure are the five SIGs. McDermott was chosen as a core member of the Infrastructure SIG and will lead Work Scope 6ā€”Greenfield Onshore Facilities. The Infrastructure SIG will build the offshore and onshore facilities needed to produce, store, and distribute low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, as well as the CCUS that will go with it. The SIG will conduct a series of studies and make recommendations for future project development, with input from industry and government.