The DWP board signed off on the project’s final environmental impact report for the modernisation of two units at the 830MW Scattergood Generating Station in Playa Del Rey.

Built in the 1950s, both units are required to be shut down before 2029 and will be replaced with new combined-cycle gas turbines that are slated to run on at least 30% hydrogen blend with natural gas from start-up.

H2 View understands the power plant would be operated primarily as a peaking asset when renewable generation is lower than demand or in emergencies.

The approval comes after the US Department of Energy scrapped $1.2bn of funding originally awarded for California’s clean regional hydrogen hub, from which the Scattergood plant was set to receive around $100m.

Despite the setback, DWP intends to use green hydrogen at the plant, with the goal of eventually operating the units on 100% hydrogen, as part of LA’s 2035 100% renewable electricity target.

The department expects to begin construction on the retrofit in early 2026, before the new units come online in late 2029.

However, the department has stated that it will not implement or operate the related hydrogen infrastructure or be the buyer of the molecule.

The project has also drawn criticism from environmental groups.

Although hydrogen is a cleaner alternative to natural gas, its combustion can still produce nitrogen oxides, which contribute to air pollution and smog.

Environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential for these emissions and the continued use of fossil fuels at the site.