Ferrybridge Next Generation Power Station, proposed by SSE, would be situated on the former Ferrybridge C Power Station site and could have a capacity of up to 1.2GW. The developer said the plant is being designed to run on hydrogen as a lower‑carbon alternative to natural gas, while remaining capable of operating on natural gas or a hydrogen‑gas blend until a commercially viable hydrogen supply is available.
SSE says the proposed development would comprise up to two gas turbine units, a new natural gas pipeline and associated infrastructure, and would connect into the existing Ferrybridge C 275kV National Grid substation. Construction is scheduled to start in 2028, subject to planning consent and a final investment decision, with completion expected in the early 2030s.
The company has stated the scheme could be a potential source of flexible, back‑up generation to support the electricity system during peak demand or when intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar are not producing.
The consultation opened on 5 September and will run for four weeks. SSE has invited local residents, community groups and stakeholders to comment on the proposals where feedback will be used to shape its final application for a Development Consent Order (DCO).
Ferrybridge has a long association with large‑scale power generation. SSE has operated assets on the site for more than 20 years and the location previously hosted coal‑fired stations, the first of which started more than a century ago. SSE is also building a battery energy storage system at Ferrybridge, due to enter operation this year.
The proposal forms part of a broader industry push in the UK to develop hydrogen as a fuel for electricity and industrial heat. SSE said it is developing hydrogen production and storage projects and has entered a multi‑million pound partnership with Siemens Energy to deliver gas turbine technology capable of running on 100% hydrogen by 2030.
If consented and financed, the project would be one of several planned developments aiming to bolster the UK's capacity to balance increasing shares of variable renewable generation while moving toward lower‑carbon fuels.
Ferrybridge Next Generation project manager Catriona Scobie said: "We're very proud of our history at the Ferrybridge site and of the strong links we've built with the local economy and community.
"We are looking forward to welcoming people to these events, which provide the opportunity for the community to learn more about our proposals for the future of the site, and for SSE to hear their views.
"Critically, our plan includes future-proofing the station, so it is ready to run on hydrogen as policy frameworks and infrastructure are developed, aligning with the UK government's decarbonisation goals.
"The station's flexibility and hydrogen capabilities mean it could be a key asset in the UK's energy mix, especially as we look to generate more of our power from renewables."