Kirkwall Airport CHP

Project:

Kirkwall Airport CHP (Combined Heat and Power) Unit

Timescale:

2021 – 2025

Funder:

The Scottish Government via Highlands and Islands Enterprise, supported by work on the SATE and Rural Energy Hubs projects

Project overview:

This project involved installing and demonstrating a novel hydrogen combustion engine at Kirkwall Airport in Orkney. The hydrogen-ready combined heat and power (CHP) unit, manufactured by 2G and supplied by their then UK technology partner Doosan Babcock, was deployed as part of of the hydrogen powered energy system to be trialled.

The CHP system was integrated with the airport’s existing heating network to meet the heat and power needs of the main terminal buildings. During the trial, the plant operated on green hydrogen supplied by EMEC, generating electricity while recovering and utilising by-product heat.

The trial was completed in October 2025, marking a UK first: hydrogen was successfully used to meet both power and heat demands at a commercial airport.

Background:

This initiative formed part of a broader programme led by EMEC and HIAL to decarbonise airport operations. Opportunities for reducing emissions were identified through an energy consumption study delivered by EMEC under the ReFLEX Orkney project, which revealed that space and water heating in the terminal accounted for the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions after aircraft operations.

Partners:

• EMEC
• 2G
• Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL)

EMEC’s role: 

EMEC is leading this project, overseeing the installation and integration of the unit with the airports existing system. EMEC will  also supply the green hydrogen for the CHP trial.

Outcomes:

The hydrogen-ready CHP unit was installed airside at Kirkwall Airport and integrated with the existing heating system to deliver heat to the main terminal and power across the site.

After installation, system integration and commissioning, the technology demonstration was able to take place in October 2025. During the trial, additional electrical loads were introduced to test performance, enabling the CHP to maintain a steady output at around 60% capacity.

Throughout the trial, the CHP supplied electricity for the terminal and runway lighting while meeting heating demand without relying on the airport’s boilers.

The completion of this trial helps to assess the real-world feasibility of integrating hydrogen technologies with airport infrastructure. The insights gained will contribute to wider efforts exploring low-carbon solutions across aviation and other sectors.

Project news:

• October 2025: Hydrogen used to power Kirkwall Airport in UK-first demonstration
• January 2021: Green hydrogen to decarbonise Kirkwall Airport