Is This Healey’s Magic Money Tree?
It looks to me that Healey has found a Magic Money Tree, which does the following.
- Saves the welfare budget.
- Allows him to abolish standing charges on gas bills.
- Allows him to take VAT off electricity bills.
- Allows him to give £100 to 20,000,000 householders.
- The Kyiv Independent has a headline of UK Announces ‘Biggest Ever’ Ukraine Support Package Of $13 Billion In 2027.
- He seems committed to increasing defence spending.
- Setting up the National Agentic Security Unit will cost millions.
Is this the Magic Money Tree?
- Jackdaw’s gas goes to St. Fergus as planned!
- One leg of AquaVentus, which is a German system of pipes and wires, that brings green hydrogen and electricity from around the North Sea to Wilhelmshaven could start at the St. Fergus Gas Terminal.
- Two H2 molecules can be extracted from each gas molecule, as methane is CH4.
- One way is a process called HiiROC that was developed in Hull, which is backed by big names including Cemex, Centrica, Hyundai, INEOS, Kia and Melrose.
- HiiROC is five times more energy efficient than traditional electrolysis.
- The Aberdeen area is not short of green electricity, given the large number of offshore wind farms.
- Germany gets the hydrogen to decarbonise, through the pipes of AquaVentus.
- The wires of AquaVentus could also take green electricity to Germany.
- Germany has run out of space in their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for more turbines.
- But as our EEZ is 23 times the size of Germany’s, we have enough to rent out space for German wind turbines.
- The route of AquaVentus will use the UK EEZ and could export energy from existing and planned UK wind farms.
- When the EEZs were drawn up, a corridor was left between the German and UK zones, where pipes and wires could be laid to transfer energy between the two countries.
- Burnham visited Merz a few weeks ago and nothing was said about energy to the media.
- But did they put together an energy deal to give Germany the green energy it needs?
- Chris O’Shea is CEO of Centrica and has several professional connections to Burnham from his Manchester days and the recent Labour Conference.
If Germany should be getting all this green energy, Healey will surely be getting loadsaeuros in return.
These are some further thoughts.
EEZ Of The UK And Neighbouring Coastal States
If you like to know more about EEZs or Exclusive Economic Zones, they have a Wikipedia entry, which includes these two statements.
- The idea of allotting nations’ EEZs to give them more control of maritime affairs outside territorial limits gained acceptance in the late 20th century.
- It was not until 1982 with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea that the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone was formally adopted.
This is possibly, the most significant map concerning the future of the UK.
Note.
- The UK EEZ is shown in bright blue.
- The UK EEZ was setup by David Cameron’s government in 2014.
- Much of the UK EEZ stretches a full 200 nautical miles from the coast.
- Germany’s EEZ is indicated by DE.
- The UK EEZ is 23 times the size of Germany’s.
- There is a narrow corridor between the UK and German EEZs, which goes between the Dutch and Danish EEZs, which was the result of an expensive legal battle and gives Germany access to the North Sea.
- Wilhelmshaven is about in the mid-point of the North-facing part of the German coast.
- But the corridor could most-likely be the route of the Aquaventus pipes and wires system between Aberdeen and Wilhelmshaven via Humberside.
Whichever way you look at it, the UK did incredibly well, when EEZs were allocated.
The Route Of AquaVentus To The UK
This map shows the border between the UK and German EEZs.
Note.
- The North-East corner of Scotland is clearly visible in the North-West corner of the map.
- The corridor between the UK and German EEZs is clearly visible.
- The corridor points at the North-East corner of Scotland.
- Wilhelmshaven is on the round estuary on the German coast.
- AquaVentus has a preferred route via Humberside, which looks feasible.
If an AquaVentus leg ran between the German EEZ and the North-East corner of Scotland, it would be totally in the UK EEZ, which would probably simplify any negotiations.
Could AquaVentus Make Use Of The UK’s Energy Storage?
Consider.
- Various companies are building three or four large pumped storage hydro systems in the Highlands of Scotland.
- There are two large gas storage facilities; Aldbrough and Rough on Humberside, which could be converted to hydrogen storage.
Energy storage would surely add functionality to AquaVentus.
Could Dogger Bank South Wind Farm Be Connected To AquaVentus?
Consider.
- It will be a pair of two 1,500 MW wind farms
- They are two of the furthest East UK wind farms and are not far from the border between the UK and German EEZs.
- They are being developed by German company ; RWE.
- They are currently to be connected to the UK grid at Birkhill Wood in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
But if it were more convenient or affordable could the two wind farms be connected to AquaVentus and send their green electricity to Germany?
Does Germany Import Nuclear Energy Through Interconnectors?
Germany doesn’t have any nuclear power stations, but does it import it?
I asked Google AI, thquestion in the title of this section, and received this answer.
Yes, Germany imports electricity that originates from nuclear power plants in neighboring countries via cross-border high-voltage interconnectors.
Key Facts on Nuclear Imports via Interconnectors
Zero Domestic Generation: Germany completed the shutdown of its last domestic nuclear power reactors in April 2023 and produces zero nuclear electricity locally.
Integrated European Grid: Electricity in Europe flows through a shared, interconnected network based on market prices, supply, and demand rather than national political borders.
Sources of Nuclear Imports: When Germany imports electricity—such as from France, Switzerland, or Belgium—a portion of that power mix comes from nuclear generation.
Rising Import Volumes: Estimates by DataPulse Research via Visual Capitalist indicate that Germany’s estimated nuclear electricity imports rose to roughly 18,313 GWh in 2024 following the complete nuclear phaseout.
It appears that so long as they don’t build any nuclear power stations, it’s OK!
New North Sea Gas To Flow After Approval For Jackdaw Drilling
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
The first significant British field in almost a decade could begin production by Christmas. The taxes raised will fund ‘clean power’, the chancellor says
These three paragraphs add more detail.
North Sea gas production will increase within weeks after ministers gave approval on Wednesday for drilling in the first big new field in almost a decade.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, confirmed that Jackdaw, off Aberdeen, has passed a new environmental assessment and will go into production before Christmas.
The field is the UK’s largest known untapped gas reservoir and could account for 6 per cent of North Sea gas production when fully operational.
I will now ask a couple of questions.
How Will Jackdaw’s Gas Get To The UK Gas Grid?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
Gas extracted from the Jackdaw gas field will reach the UK gas network by utilizing existing North Sea energy infrastructure through a multi-stage pipeline connection:
1. Subsea Pipeline to Shearwater: Gas will first flow from the Jackdaw platform through a newly designed 31km subsea pipeline to the nearby, existing Shearwater hub.
2. Transportation Onshore: From the Shearwater platform, the gas and associated liquids will be tied into major existing offshore transmission systems—specifically the Fulmar Gas Line and the Forties Pipeline System.
3. UK Grid Entry: These pipelines route the resources directly onshore to processing facilities, primarily the St Fergus gas terminal in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where the gas is processed and fed directly into the Great British National Transmission System (NTS).
The project, operated by Adura (a Shell and Equinor joint venture), has received final government approval and is expected to begin supplying the UK grid as early as late October 2026.
What Is Aquaventus?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
AquaVentus is a major German-led energy initiative aimed at producing green hydrogen at scale from offshore wind energy in the North Sea. Managed by the AquaVentus Förderverein e.V.—which is registered on the island of Helgoland with offices in Berlin—the project brings together a consortium of more than 100 international companies, research institutions, and organizations.
The overarching goal of the initiative is to establish 10 gigawatts (GW) of offshore electrolysis capacity by 2035. This capacity is projected to yield roughly 1 million tonnes of climate-neutral green hydrogen per year, providing a critical clean energy source to decarbonize heavy industries, aviation, and maritime shipping that cannot be easily electrified.
Core Architecture & Flagship Projects
The initiative operates through a synchronized value chain broken down into highly specialized sub-projects:
AquaPrimus: A practical demonstrator project testing offshore wind turbines integrated directly with hydrogen production units under real-world sea conditions.
AquaSector: A large-scale offshore hydrogen park intended to prove the commercial and operational viability of scaled-up marine electrolysis.
AquaDuctus: The central “hydrogen backbone” pipeline. Instead of converting electricity to send ashore via traditional subsea cables, this pipeline will collect hydrogen directly from the offshore platforms and transport it straight to the German core grid. It was officially integrated into Germany’s hydrogen core network planning in October 2024.
AquaCampus: A European research and testing platform set up in the North Sea to advance marine electrolysis technologies.
AquaPortus & AquaNavis: Infrastructure projects focused on adapting coastal harbours and developing hydrogen-based maritime shipping applications.
Infrastructure and Partnerships
Rather than relying purely on electricity transmission, AquaVentus champions a combined connection concept. This hybrid infrastructure links offshore wind farms using both traditional power cables and hydrogen pipelines. Depending on fluctuating market electricity prices and real-time demand, wind farms can alternate between feeding electricity directly into the grid or generating hydrogen on-site. The initiative has actively lobbied European regulators to fully anchor these hybrid layouts into offshore wind energy legislation.
The consortium includes major global energy and industrial players like RWE, BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, Ørsted, and Siemens Energy. Furthermore, it continues to scale its international footprint, recently partnering with organizations like Hydrogen Scotland to explore connecting North Sea infrastructure directly into broader European energy markets.
Aquaventus will connect to Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Aberdeen and Humberside in the UK to Wilhelmshaven in Germany.
Could Aquaventus Be Supplied with Scottish Hydrogen?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
Yes, AquaVentus can be supplied with Scottish green hydrogen.
Key Details of the Partnership
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): AquaVentus (a German-led offshore wind-to-hydrogen initiative) and Hydrogen Scotland signed an agreement to link Scottish offshore wind and hydrogen production into the North Sea energy network.
Shared Infrastructure: The collaboration aims to connect Scotland’s offshore wind potential with cross-border transport concepts like the planned AquaDuctus offshore hydrogen pipeline.
Export Goals: The partnership is designed to establish Scotland as a major green hydrogen supplier to European markets such as Germany, integrating Scottish production into a pan-European hydrogen backbone.
Some electrolysis capacity would need to be built.
Could Jackdaw’s Gas Be Used To Create Hydrogen For AquaVentus?
Consider.
- There will be an Aquaventus connection from Aberdeen to Wilhelmshaven via Humberside.
- Jackdaw is connected to the St. Fergus Gas Terminal, which is less than 40 miles from Aberdeen.
- There are now efficient ways of extracting the four hydrogen atoms of each methane molecule from natural gas.
- There is plenty of green electricity at Aberdeen.
I believe that natural gas from Jackdaw could be turned into hydrogen at Aberdeen and sent to Germany via Aquaventus.
One of the best methods to create hydrogen has been developed by HiiROC.
- HiiROC is a spin-out of Hull University.
- HiiROC’s backers include Melrose Industries, HydrogenOne, Centrica, Cemex, Hyundai and Kia, Wintershall Dea and VNG.
- HydrogenOne is backed by INEOS.
- HiiROC uses a fifth of the energy of traditional electrolysis.
- The HiiROC process, which is called thermal plasma electrolysis, splits any hydrocarbon gas into hydrogen and carbon black.
- Feedstocks can include chemical plant offgas, biomethane and natural gas.
- Carbon black has various uses including manufacturing tyres and rubber products.
- In Hydrogen Milestone: UK’s First Hydrogen-to-Power Trial At Brigg Energy Park, I describe how Centrica and HiiROC have generated electricity at Brigg power station.
- In Cemex To Install World-First Hydrogen Process At UK Cement Plant, I describe how Cemex will use HiiROC to make low-carbon cement at Rugby.
I believe that a large HiiROC electrolyser at Aberdeen could provide enough hydrogen for Aquaventus.
I have some thoughts.
Will Aquaventus Be Using The Albrough And Rough Gas Storage?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
Yes, the broader AquaVentus framework is designed to integrate with British transmission networks and link to underground cavern and reservoir storage assets on Humberside, including the Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage site and Rough Gas Storage.
Key Details
AquaVentus Integration: While the primary focus of offshore German pipelines like AquaDuctus is delivering green hydrogen to Germany, the broader AquaVentus network links into UK transmission systems and regional storage options.
Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage: SSE Thermal and Equinor are developing plans to repurpose and expand the underground salt caverns at the Aldbrough site in East Yorkshire to store low-carbon hydrogen.
Rough Gas Storage: Centrica has explored plans to convert the offshore Rough gas storage field in the North Sea for hydrogen storage as part of the wider regional infrastructure development in the Humber area.
The hydrogen can also be distributed to customers on Humberside.
No, the carbon black created by HiiROC will not be a problem; instead, it is an economically valuable asset and an environmental benefit. Rather than producing gaseous carbon dioxide, HiiROC’s Thermal Plasma Electrolysis (TPE) process locks carbon into a stable, solid carbon black co-product.
The solid carbon black generated by this technology is a solution rather than a problem for several key reasons:
1. It Completely Avoids Carbon Dioxide Emissions
In traditional hydrogen production (like steam methane reforming), carbon is released as gas. HiiROC operates a completely oxygen-free plasma system. Because there is no oxygen, carbon dioxide cannot form. The carbon is instantly cooled and solidified into an inert powder, trapping it permanently so it cannot escape into the atmosphere.
2. It Replaces a Highly Polluting Global Industry
Carbon black is already a massive global commodity used heavily in vehicle tires, plastics, inks, and coatings. However, traditional carbon black manufacturing (the oil furnace process) is notoriously dirty and generates severe greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. HiiROC’s product serves as a sustainable, zero-emission alternative for these manufacturing chains.
3. It is Highly Marketable and Versatile
Rather than a waste material that requires disposal, HiiROC’s carbon black is being commercialized for various industrial uses:
Automotive: Tokyo Gas and major tire manufacturers are testing and assessing its use for sustainable tires.
Construction & Infrastructure: It is being integrated into building materials like concrete through partnerships with global companies like Cemex.
Agriculture: It can be safely utilized for soil enhancement.
It sounds like HiiROC should be filed under too good to be true.
Is Research Being Undertaken To Find More Uses For Carbon Black?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
Yes, extensive research is actively underway to find and expand new uses for carbon black, particularly in clean energy, advanced electronics, and sustainable manufacturing.
Emerging & Research-Backed Applications
Lithium-Ion Batteries & Energy Storage: Researchers are optimizing carbon black grades as conductive additives and low-cost alternatives to lithium metal in battery cathodes and anodes, as well as use in fuel cells, supercapacitors, and solar cells.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Manufacturers are developing specialized, high-conductivity carbon black formulations to improve EV tire durability, lightweight polymers, and high-performance battery systems.
Electromagnetic & Conductive Materials: Research explores carbon black in conductive adhesives, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, antistatic flooring, and radar-absorbent materials.
Green & Circular Production Methods: Scientists are investigating alternative manufacturing pathways—such as methane pyrolysis, turquoise hydrogen co-production, and tyre pyrolysis—to create recovered and circular carbon black (rCB) with a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional fossil-oil burning.
Note.
- The HiiROC process is considered turquoise hydrogen co-production.
- Tyre pyrolysis recovers valuable carbon black by breaking down end-of-life tires (ELTs) at high temperatures (typically 450°C to 600°C) in an oxygen-free environment.
It seems to me that HiiROC could transform an industry.
New Ferry Link Proposed Between Aberdeen And Iceland
The title of this post is the same as that of this article in The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
Talks are under way for a ferry from Aberdeen to Seydisfjordur in eastern Iceland, reviving a North Atlantic connection that endured for 150 years
These three paragraphs add more detail.
There were wild celebrations when the first ever regular mail steamer from Scotland arrived in Iceland.
Cheering crowds gathered as the Clyde-built Victor Emanuel, her single funnel belching black smoke, slipped into Reykjavik harbour in 1858 after crossing the North Atlantic from Leith. It was an historic day, marking a service that was to bind Britain and Iceland in a way they never had been before.
There was little or no emotion, however, when the last regular sea connection between Scotland and Iceland was lost in 2008 amid the rise of low-cost airlines, ending a century and a half of shipping history.
But now it appears that the ferry might be revived, as The Times article reports.
This Google Map shows the seas between Aberdeen and Iceland.
Note.
- Iceland is in the North-West corner of the map.
- Seydisfjordur, which will be the port, where the service will terminate is indicated by the red arrow.
- The Faroe Islands are in the middle of the map.
- Aberdeen is in the South-West corner of the map.
- The Orkneys and Shetlands are North of Scotland.
I was rather surprised, I could get everything on the single map.
This second map shows all the wind farms being developed around the North of Scotland.
Note.
- These seventeen wind farms have a total capacity of 24 GW.
- Currently, in total, as I write this we’re using 35.7 GW and generating 32.9 GW.
- The difference is made up of transfers.
- There are more details on these wind farms in Ørsted, Simply Blue, Subsea7 Submit Application For 100 MW Scottish Floating Wind Farm.
There would appear to be plenty more space for wind farms.
What Will Happen To This Energy In The North Of Scotland?
The Germans have a shortage of green energy and it is likely that they will build a system of pipes and wires called AquaVentus between Aberdeen and Wilhelmshaven via Humberside to bring green hydrogen and electricity to Germany.
I can see a need for ferries linking Wilhelmshaven, Aberdeen, Orkney, Shetland, the Faroes and Iceland, if construction really takes off in the area, where there is one of the largest undeveloped areas in Europe, that is suitable for wind farms.
And much of the area is in the UK EEZ.
I do wonder, if in his recent visit to Merz, Burnham and the German Chancellor agreed to develop the Northern part of the UK EEZ for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
I will finish with these questions.
What Is The Offshore Wind Potential Of Iceland?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
Iceland possesses massive theoretical offshore wind resources, estimated by the World Bank at approximately 847 gigawatts (GW), which is more than the combined potential of countries like France and Spain.
Key Aspects of Iceland’s Offshore Wind Potential
Resource Scale: The World Bank estimates Iceland’s coastal waters could yield up to 847 GW of power, far exceeding the country’s domestic electricity consumption (which is currently met almost entirely by geothermal and hydroelectric power).
Geographical and Climate Challenges:
Shallows and Coastline: Unlike shallow North Sea basins, Iceland’s rugged coastlines have relatively few shallow areas, which can complicate conventional fixed-bottom turbine installations.
Harsh Conditions: Winter wind speeds and power densities are exceptionally high (with offshore values exceeding 1,000 W/m² in southern, eastern, and western coastal areas), though extreme weather, tectonic activity, and volcanic-glacial sediments require specialized foundation engineering.
Export and Cross-Border Concepts: Because Iceland’s domestic energy needs are already satisfied by low-cost renewables, large-scale offshore wind developments are often proposed for export. For example, developers like Hecate Independent Power (HIP Atlantic) have explored multi-gigawatt offshore wind projects off Iceland’s coast linked directly to the United Kingdom via long-distance subsea HVDC transmission cables.
Emerging Research: Scientific bodies like the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Icelandic Geological Survey (ÍSOR) have partnered on grants to map Iceland’s seabed and glacial outwash plains to better evaluate site suitability and turbine foundation designs.
Iceland could be Europe’s largest power station.
It’s lucky Trump has no engineering, mathematical or scientific knowledge, otherwise he’d be jealous.
What Is The Offshore Wind Potential Of The Faroe Islands?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
The Faroe Islands possess substantial wind resources, though deep surrounding waters present engineering challenges for standard bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines. To bypass these constraints and overcome local onshore resistance (“NIMBY” opposition), the territory has actively explored and planned offshore installations:
Planned Offshore Wind Projects
Tórshavn Offshore Wind Farm: The Faroese power company SEV planned an initial offshore wind project near the capital, Tórshavn, sized between 96 MW and 120 MW.
Replacement of Onshore Plans: This single offshore initiative was designed to replace at least five delayed or contested onshore wind farms, accelerating the territory’s push toward its goal of 100% sustainable electricity generation by 2030.
Technical & Geographical Challenges
Deep Waters: Standard fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines are difficult or costly to deploy because the waters surrounding the steep volcanic islands become deep very quickly.
Alternative Approaches: Studies and strategies have investigated floating offshore wind options, as well as integrating offshore wind with green hydrogen and ammonia production to power local maritime and industrial sectors.
Tidal Complement: Because standard wind and solar can be variable or affected by harsh salt and wind conditions, the islands are heavily supplementing their wind strategy with predictable underwater tidal kite technology (such as Minesto systems) which hold a separate 2 GW national tidal potential.
It looks like The Faroes goal of 100 % sustainable electricity generation by 2030, will mean they won’t be exporting large amounts of energy.
What Is The Offshore Wind Potential Of The Shetland Islands?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
The Shetland Islands possess some of the most consistent and high-capacity wind resources in Europe, with multi-gigawatt offshore wind potential supported by ScotWind leasing rounds.
Key Offshore Wind Projects & Potential
Arven Offshore Wind Farm: A major floating offshore wind project targeted for the early 2030s located east of Shetland. It features a planned capacity of 2.3 GW (enough to power roughly 2 million homes annually).
Stoura Offshore Wind Farm: An early-stage floating wind project awarded to ESB via Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind process. Located about 40 km east of Shetland, it has a targeted capacity of 500 MW.
NE1 Site & Regional Leasing: The broader waters surrounding Shetland have yielded licensing for roughly 2.8 GW to 3 GW or more of offshore floating wind capacity through recent leasing rounds, utilizing deep-water floating technology for depths exceeding 60 meters.
Complementary Energy Infrastructure
Onshore Integration: The massive 443 MW Viking Energy Wind Farm (103 turbines) and related onshore sites operate alongside a 260 km subsea HVDC interconnector cable linking Shetland directly to the UK mainland grid.
Industrial Transition: The historic Sullom Voe Terminal is shifting into a clean energy and carbon storage hub (via projects like Veri Energy and ORION), exploring how excess offshore and onshore renewable power can drive green hydrogen production and offshore platform electrification.
Local Challenges: Developers and authorities must balance this massive marine energy potential with spatial constraints, local fishing industry concerns, and grid-connection capacities.
Shetland seems to have implemented an excellent local solution.
What Is The Offshore Wind Potential Of The Orkney Islands?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
The Orkney Islands possess massive offshore wind potential, with surrounding regional waters estimated to hold anywhere from 5 GW to over 17 GW of immediate local generation capacity, alongside broader island and northern Scottish shelf sharing over 100 GW of combined offshore wind potential.
Key Offshore Wind Scale & Figures
Immediate/Local Potential: Between 5 GW and 10 GW of generation capacity lies within 12 miles of the islands, with broader regional models citing up to 17,000 MW (17 GW) of nearby offshore wind potential.
Broader Northern Potential: Orkney—alongside Shetland and the Outer Hebrides—shares access to a regional pool exceeding 100 GW of offshore wind capacity.
Major Projects: The landmark West of Orkney Windfarm (located 30 km off the west coast) features a capacity of 2 GW (up to 125 fixed-foundation turbines), designed to power over 2 million homes and target initial power generation around 2030. It is the first ScotWind project to secure both offshore and onshore planning consents.
Infrastructure & Grid Challenges
Grid Bottlenecks: Orkney frequently generates more than 130% of its local power needs from renewables, leading to significant wind curtailment because legacy interconnector cables to the Scottish mainland are heavily constrained (limited to roughly 40 MW).
Upcoming Upgrades: A new major transmission interconnector cable project is slated to scale up export capacity and relieve these constraints by the end of 2028.
Ports and Supply Chain: Strategic port developments—such as the Scapa Deep Water Quay project at Scapa Flow—are receiving multi-million-pound investments to transform Orkney into a primary assembly, manufacturing, and maintenance hub for Scottish and European floating and fixed offshore wind farms.
It appears that the priority is better transmission of the generated electricity.
Conclusion
It looks like a substantial amount of green electricity can be harvested and brought South, either as electricity or as green hydrogen.
First Engine Start For First Hydrogen-Powered Locomotive
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in the Windhoek Observer.
These three paragraphs add more details.
CMB.TECH Namibia’s has said the engine start for Namibia’s first hydrogen-powered locomotive represents an important step in the project’s development.
It is the first hydrogen dual fuel engine to be started in Africa and the first hydrogen dual fuel engine to be started in a locomotive worldwide.
The company revealed that a combined team of eight electrical, mechanical and software engineers, together with the engine commissioning engineer, worked into the night to prepare the locomotive for its first engine start.
These are a few points from the rest of the article.
- During the initial run, the BeHydro engine idled for approximately 30 minutes while the team carried out a series of checks.
- This 2,250-horsepower BeHydro dual fuel engine can operate on both diesel and green hydrogen, with the hydrogen to be produced locally at CMB.TECH Namibia’s facility in Walvis Bay.
- Namibia has a large fleet of idled locomotives that can be repowered with this cost-effective and future proof technology.
I first wrote about the Belgian BeHydro dual fuel engine in Green Tugboats? ‘Revolutionary’ Hydrogen Ship Engine Unveiled In Belgium.
Is History Repeating Itself?
Thirty or forty years ago, I was friendly with a steam locomotive enthusiast called Dick.
- Dick and his mates were helping various African countries, get their steam locomotives running again.
- The Chinese had sold Africa lots of diesel locomotives to replace European steam locomotives, that often dated from before the Second World War.
- But now these Chinese diesels were falling apart.
My friend and his mates were dragging the old steam locomotives out of the sidings and getting them going again.
So with a little help from the Belgians, are the Namibians bringing the ancient Chinese diesel locomotives into the net-zero world of the twenty-first century?
More About The Project
These paragraphs in the Windhoek Observerer describe the project.
- The project is the result of a strategic partnership between three companies firmly rooted in Namibia including TransNamib Holdings Limited, Africa Global Logistics and CMB.TECH Namibia.
- TransNamib is responsible for managing and operating the national rail network and freight services.
- Africa Global Logistics (AGL) is an established logistics operator active in Namibia, playing a key role in freight, transport and logistics operations across the country, with a strong focus on strengthening strategic transport corridors.
- AGL also manages operations at the Walvis Bay Multipurpose Bulk Terminal and operates one of Africa’s largest integrated logistics networks, with a presence in over 50 countries connecting ports, corridors and multimodal supply chains.
- These partners will operate Namibia’s first heavy‑duty freight service running on locally produced green hydrogen.
- Initially, 50 round trips will be covered between the Port of Walvis Bay and the Container Depot near Windhoek during the trial period, with the option to extend operations.
- Green hydrogen for the project will be produced off‑grid at CMB.TECH Namibia’s hydrogen plant in Walvis Bay.
Note.
- It seems very much a Namibian project.
- Namibia has plenty of wind and sun to make the green hydrogen.
- Would they be using an efficient process like HiiROC?
This OpenRailwayMap shows the location of Walvis Bay and Windhoek.
Note.
- Walvis Bay is indicated by the blue arrow.
- Windhoek is East of Walvis Bay, where there is a major railway junction.
- Windhoek and Walvis Bay are about 224 miles apart and a train journey takes between 9 and 11 hours.
It will probably be one of the longest hydrogen-powered rail journeys in the world.
Bid To Create UK’s First Regional Hydrogen Network
The title of this post is the same as this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading
Four energy companies are working together to bid for government funding to develop the UK’s first regional hydrogen transport and storage network.
This two paragraphs add more details to the article.
National Gas, Centrica, Equinor and SSE Thermal aim to secure about £500m of funding to develop the network, which will connect sites across the Humber region.
“This is a competitive process that will determine where the UK’s first integrated hydrogen network is built,” a spokesperson for the four companies said.
Note.
- There are already several hydrogen projects in the area including Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage, H2H Saltend, and Ferrybridge and Keadby Next Generation Power Stations.
- The local MPs seem in favour.
- In Could Doncaster Sheffield Airport Become A Hydrogen Airport?, I laid out my reasons, why Doncaster Sheffield Airport could become a hydrogen airport.
I can see this hydrogen cluster having a big future.
Cummins To Cease New Electrolyser Activity Amid Worsening Market
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Renewables Now.
These are the first three paragraphs.
Cummins Inc has decided to stop new commercial activity in the electrolysers space following a strategic review of the segment launched last year, citing deteriorating market conditions and weakening customer demand.
The decision is linked to USD 458 million (EUR 388.4m) of charges for the full-year 2025 related to the electrolyser business within the company’s zero-emission technologies arm, Accelera, of which USD 415 million were non-cash charges.
The company noted that it will continue to fulfil existing customer commitments before winding down new commercial activity in the segment.
Although, I am in favour of using hydrogen as a fuel, I recognise, that traditional electrolysis is not the most efficient process.
These methods are more efficient.
HiiROC
- HiiROC use a process, that they call Thermal Plasma Electrolysis to split any hydrocarbon gas into hydrogen and carbon black.
- HiiROC originated in the University of Hull.
- Typical gases that can be used are chemical plant off-gas, biomethane and methane.
- I like the ability to use chemical plant off-gas, as some of this is particularly nasty and HiiROC may offer safe disposal.
But the big advantage is that the HiiROC process is five times more energy efficient than traditional electrolysis.
The carbon black is no useless by-product, but has several valuable uses in its own right, which are detailed in its Wikipedia entry.
These two paragraphs from Wikipedia, give a summary of the more common uses of carbon black.
The most common use (70%) of carbon black is as a reinforcing phase in automobile tires. Carbon black also helps conduct heat away from the tread and belt area of the tire, reducing thermal damage and increasing tire life. Its low cost makes it a common addition to cathodes and anodes and is considered a safe replacement to lithium metal in lithium-ion batteries. About 20% of world production goes into belts, hoses, and other non-tire rubber goods. The remaining 10% use of carbon black comes from pigment in inks, coatings, and plastics, as well as being used as a conductive additive in lithium-ion batteries.
Carbon black is added to polypropylene because it absorbs ultraviolet radiation, which otherwise causes the material to degrade. Carbon black particles are also employed in some radar absorbent materials, in photocopier and laser printer toner, and in other inks and paints. The high tinting strength and stability of carbon black has also provided use in coloring of resins and films. Carbon black has been used in various applications for electronics. A good conductor of electricity, carbon black is used as a filler mixed in plastics, elastomer, films, adhesives, and paints. It is used as an antistatic additive agent in automobile fuel caps and pipes.
It can also be used as a soil improver in agriculture.
HiiROC would appear to be five times more energy efficient than traditional electrolysis.
I would also rate the range of their investors as a particular strength.
Google AI lists these companies as investors.
HiiROC, a UK-based developer of plasma torch technology for “turquoise” hydrogen production, is backed by a consortium of industrial and strategic investors. Key investors include Centrica, Melrose Industries, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, HydrogenOne Capital, CEMEX Ventures, Wintershall Dea, and VNG.
Note.
- CEMEX must be going to decarbonise cement making.
- Melrose describe themselves as an industry-leading aerospace technology provider.
- Will we be seeing hydrogen cars from Korean manufacturers?
- Wintershall Dea is Europe’s leading independent gas and oil company.
HiiROC has an impressive list of investors.
Bloom Energy
I wrote about Bloom Energy’s process in Westinghouse And Bloom Energy To Team Up For Pink Hydrogen.
This method also looks promising.
- Westinghouse Electric Company is an American builder of nuclear power stations.
- Bloom Energy Corporation make a solid-oxide electrolyser.
- Pink hydrogen is green hydrogen produced using nuclear power.
It uses electrolysis at a higher temperature, which speeds it up.
Desert Bloom
This is an Australian process, that I wrote about in 10GW Green Hydrogen Project Aims To Electrolyze Water Drawn From Desert Air.
Conclusion
You can understand, why Cummins are getting jumpy!
But you have to remember that when I worked in a hydrogen plant in the 1960s, the hydrogen was an unwanted by-product and it was mixed with coal gas and sent down the power station to raise steam, so that it could be used to do something useful.
Development Consent Decision On 3 GW Dogger Bank South Project Postponed
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has set a new deadline for the decision on the Development Consent Order (DCO) for Dogger Bank South, a 3 GW offshore wind project developed by RWE, which the company owns in partnership with Masdar.
These two paragraphs add more detail to the project.
The statutory deadline for the decision on the project was 10 January 2026. This has now been moved to 30 April.
According to a statement from the Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey, the extension will allow time to request further information that was not provided for consideration during the examination period and to give all interested parties the opportunity to review and comment on such information.
I clipped this map from the Dogger Bank South web site.
Note.
- Bridlington, Kingston-Upon-Hull and Scarborough can be picked out on the coast of East Yorkshire.
- The two wind farms and the route of the cables to the shore can be clearly seen.
I just wonder, whether the nature of the project is changing.
Consider.
- Three GW is a lot of power to move across Yorkshire to where it can be connected to the grid.
- In Consultation On Offshore Wind Reform: Hydrogen Sector Calls For Hybrid Connection Concepts And Warns Of Compensation Risks, German companies involved in the AquaVentus project are calling for more hydrogen to be produced offshore and piped to the shore.
- Could hydrogen produced in the Dogger Bank Wind farms be piped to the Northern end of the AquaVentus pipeline on the German sector of the Dogger Bank?
- A pipeline or cable could still bring energy to Yorkshire.
- The hydrogen could go to the hydrogen stores at Aldbrough and Rough.
- SSE and Centrica could play hydrogen-bankers to the Germans, as Germany is short of hydrogen storage.
- East Yorkshire is building two hydrogen power stations at Keadby and Ferrybridge.
- Support for the Dogger Bank South wind farms will probably be from RWE’S Grimsby hub.
Is this the Anglo-German co-operation, I talked about in UK And Germany Boost Offshore Renewables Ties at work?
I can see benefits for this arrangement for the UK.
- Hydrogen production is offshore.
- A lot of the onshore employment is in the UK.
- There will be a hydrogen pipeline between Germany and the vast hydrogen storage of Humberside via the German Dogger Bank and Dogger Bank South wind farms.
- Will there be a hydrogen pipeline between the North of Scotland and Humberside via the AquaVentus pipeline?
- There will also be a substantial cash flow to the UK Treasury because of all the hydrogen production in UK waters.
RWE may also be able to use a standard hydrogen production platform in German and UK waters.
This is the sort of plan, that the money men will like.
Consultation On Offshore Wind Reform: Hydrogen Sector Calls For Hybrid Connection Concepts And Warns Of Compensation Risks
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the AquaVentus web site.
There is this statement on the home page.
Berlin, January 02 2026. In the context of the consultation launched by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) on the reform of the Wind Energy at Sea Act (WindSeeG), the hydrogen initiative AquaVentus is calling for clear legislative action to enable a cost-efficient and system-friendly development of offshore wind energy. At the heart of its position is the timely legal establishment of hybrid connection concepts, allowing offshore wind farms to be connected via both electricity cables and hydrogen pipelines.
Note.
- I’ve always felt that copying proven technologies from the offshore oil and gas industry is good practice.
- It may be easier to recycle infrastructure like pipelines, platforms and storage by creating the hydrogen offshore.
- In the UK, Centrica and SSE are already re-purposing natural gas storage for hydrogen.
It may feel safer to some for the hydrogen to be produced a distance offshore.
EDF Developing Offshore Wind-Powered Hydrogen Production Project In French EEZ
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
EDF Power Solutions has invited applications for a tender for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services and hazard studies as part of a project to develop an offshore hydrogen production station in France’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
This is the first paragraph.
The project, dubbed HYODE (HYdrogen Offshore DunkerquE), will produce green hydrogen by coupling offshore wind farms with an offshore electrolyser near Dunkirk, France, and is planned to also include storage and transport by ship to port, forming what EDF describes as an “innovative solution” to help scale green hydrogen production.
I asked Google AI, if there are any operational offshore hydrogen electrolysers and received this answer.
Yes, there are operational offshore electrolyser projects, though large-scale, dedicated offshore hydrogen platforms are still in development. The first operational offshore production on an existing gas platform is planned for late 2024 with the PosHYdon project. Additionally, a pilot project in the UK is testing the full integration of a hydrogen electrolyser onto an existing offshore wind turbine, with another project in the Netherlands installing an offshore hydrogen production and storage platform.
But, I did get this page on page on the Ramboll web site, which is entitled The Rise Of Offshore Hydrogen Production At Scale, which has this introductory paragraph.
The stage is set for producing green hydrogen from offshore wind and desalinated seawater. Building on existing and proven technology, offshore wind farms have the potential to become future production hubs for green hydrogen production at scale to meet increasing demand.
That sounds very promising, especially, if proven technology is borrowed from the offshore oil and gas industry.
It’s