Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub Strategic Partnership

The Council is seeking to procure an experienced, dynamic and innovative strategic partner to form a long-term joint venture with the Council (the "Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub Strategic Partnership"), in order to secure substantial low carbon infrastructure investment and delivery capability in support of the City's Hydrogen Hub and Net Zero Vision. As part of its role in the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub Strategic Partnership, the strategic partner will be expected to provide finance and investment for the opportunity and competent resources including scoping, design, procurement, project management, implementation, delivery, operation, maintenance, commercial support and technical expertise. Phase 1 will include the procurement of a hydrogen production facility for public sector consumption of a resilient, cost effective supply of green hydrogen on a commercial basis to support both existing and proposed transport projects. Phase 2 envisages supply to larger volume utilisation hydrogen vehicles such as rail, freight and marine. Phase 3 will involve the supply of hydrogen for heat and export.The joint venture will enter into a Hydrogen Supply Framework Agreement with the Council. This agreement will set out the terms upon which the joint venture will supply hydrogen to the Council during Phase 1, and develop proposals for delivery of hydrogen to the Council during Phases 2 and 3. The term of the Hydrogen Supply Framework will be for an initial period of 10 years with two subsequent optional extensions of 5 years each.The Hydrogen Supply Framework Agreement will also set out the terms upon which Non-ACC Contracting Authorities will be permitted to call-off hydrogen supplies under the framework agreement. Non ACC contracting authorities will be permitted to call-off hydrogen supplies under the Hydrogen Supply Framework for a period of 8 years from the point at which the hydrogen production facility begins producing hydrogen (currently anticipated to be summer 2024). The Council considers that this is the minimum period which is required to allow the development of a robust business case which will support the development of the project through Phases 1 and 2 and into Phase 3.It is also anticipated that the strategic partner will be willing to work with a broad range of organisations, including those working in Aberdeen's community, energy and sustainability sectors to facilitate the delivery of low carbon energy projects on a city-wide and, potentially, regional basis.It is expected that the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub Strategic Partnership will comprise a joint venture company between the strategic partner and the Council. The nature of the joint venture and structure of the Council's investment into the joint venture will be discussed with bidders during dialogue. The Council has agreed in principle to fund 19.4 million GDP from its Capital Programme as investment in the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub Strategic Partnership. The form of investment by the Council into the joint venture will be the subject of dialogue and subject to subsidy control requirements. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub Strategic Partnership will be required to procure the design, build, operation and maintenance of a new green hydrogen production facility together with associated refuelling, distribution and transportation infrastructure within the Council's boundaries or within close proximity thereto. The Council envisages that its strategic partner will bringing a wealth of commercial expertise to the table with a view to contributing towards economic growth and the development of robust supply chains and wider employment opportunities. Additional information: the Council expects to play a role in delivering Hydrogen Energy, and anticipates this may include the integration of low carbon energy related assets. these could include Hydrogen production, refueling stations, Council land and buildings to deliver projects. The Council will also scale up demand through vehicle replacements, district heat, obtain stakeholder support, invest in key assets.