Introduction to Keadby Next Generation – capturing the potential of the Humber with hydrogen-enabled flexible power 

Keadby Next Generation Power Station is a new type of power station being proposed for development in North Lincolnshire, providing hydrogen-enabled flexible power. 

To achieve the UK’s ambitious target to cut national carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2050, the way energy is generated and used needs to change.  And while renewable energy sources such as wind and solar will have a big part to play, we will also need decarbonised, flexible power generation to respond to market needs and ensure security of energy supply when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. 

This is why, together, Equinor and SSE Thermal are developing Keadby Next Generation Power Station to provide hydrogen-enabled flexible power to the UK, as well as four other low-carbon projects in the UK currently. All these projects have one thing in common: they all focus on providing vital flexibility to the energy system. 

The project would help secure the UK’s energy security, generating up to 910 MW and helping achieve long-term decarbonisation goals. 

Hydrogen-enabled flexible power generation that supports variable renewable power production, ensuring reliable access to electricity for the UK. 

SSE Thermal and Equinor are proposing to develop and operate a new hydrogen-enabled power station, called Keadby Next Generation Power Station, at the existing SSE Keadby site in North Lincolnshire.  

Keadby Next Generation Power Station is being designed so that it can run on hydrogen, natural gas or a blend of the two. It would form the start of the next generation of development on the Keadby site and is ideally located to connect into emerging proposals for a hydrogen network within the Humber area, which is being developed as part of the East Coast Hydrogen Project and Project Union.  

It would help create a clean power hub in the region, preserve local jobs and create new ones, while supporting skills, apprenticeships, and educational opportunities across the region. 

As the hydrogen fuel supply required for 100% hydrogen operation may not be available from the start of operations, Keadby Next Generation Power Station would also be able to operate using natural gas until a technically and commercially viable hydrogen supply becomes available to the site. 

What is the difference between Keadby 3 CCS and Keadby Next Generation Power Station? 

Keadby 3 Carbon Capture and Storage Power Station and the Keadby Next Generation Power Station are two different projects, which are in many ways trying to achieve similar decarbonisation outcomes.  

SSE’s ambition is to be ready to develop a low carbon power station in Keadby as soon as possible.  There are two clear decarbonisation pathways for power stations – carbon capture and hydrogen. 

SSE were granted a Development Consent Order (DCO) for Keadby 3 Carbon Capture Power Station project (Keadby 3 CCS) by the Secretary of State in December 2022. Keadby 3 would use natural gas as its fuel and be fitted with a carbon capture plant to remove carbon dioxide from its emissions. It would be reliant on access to CO2 transport and storage infrastructure. 

The development of Keadby Next Generation Power Station is an alternative to the consented Keadby 3 CCS and would be located on the same site. By getting development consent for both options in parallel (Keadby 3 CCS and Keadby Next Generation Power Station), SSE can be ready to deliver the decarbonisation option that becomes commercially available first. 

This flexibility ensures SSE can continue to deliver reliable power to the national grid at Keadby, securing low-carbon electricity supply as we transition towards a Net Zero future. 

Design

Here’s how the proposed Keadby Next Generation Power Station would fit around the existing buildings on the Keadby site. This map shows both the indicative project and construction areas.