A multi-partner plan for establishing a green hydrogen hub in the Highlands in Scotland has been launched
The purpose of The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme is to develop a hub in the Cromarty Firth to produce, store and distribute hydrogen to the region, Scotland, other parts of the UK and Europe.
Green hydrogen is created using electrolysers powered by electricity from renewable sources. Power would be supplied from current and future wind farms off the coast of the Cromarty Firth, as well as onshore schemes, and fed to the hub.
According to The Port of Cromarty Firth, one of the projects is to provide distilleries in the region with hydrogen. A feasibility study into the Distilleries Project will begin this month and is due to be completed in June. ScottishPower, Pale Blue Dot Energy, alongside with whiskey producers Glenmorangie, Whyte and Mackay and Diageo are privately funding the project.
Sam Gomersall, Hydrogen Champion at Pale Blue Dot Energy commented:
“Scotland has the potential to be a global forerunner of green hydrogen production on a massive scale. It cannot be underestimated the hugely positive effect this would have on Scotland’s decarbonisation plans, as well as on jobs and the economy.”
Chief Executive of The Port of Cromarty Firth, Bob Buskie said such a hub would provide a massive boost to Scotland’s ambitions of decarbonising its economy and establishing itself as global leaders in green hydrogen technology, a sector still in its infancy.
The delivery of green hydrogen to Glenmorangie, Whyte and Mackay and Diageo will give them the opportunity to decarbonise the heating of their distilleries and maltings, which are located near to the Cromarty Firth. This would be achieved by using hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels to create the energy needed to make steam so the distilling process can be completed.
Bob Buskie added:
“In the short term, we have a number of local partners with vast experience in hydrogen, distilling and utility provision who want to decarbonise their operations. And in the long term, there is a huge opportunity to decarbonise Highland industry, transport and heat, as well as exporting green hydrogen to other parts of the UK and mainland Europe, which doesn’t have the same offshore wind capacity as Scotland.”
Operations Director of The Glenmorangie Company, Peter Nelson also commented on the project:
“We enthusiastically support the development of the Green Hydrogen Hub on the Cromarty Firth. This would be an important stepping stone to provide a green energy resource for the whole of the North Highlands. The region has huge potential to generate renewable energy and the hub will ensure the region potentially becomes a centre for this emerging technology, providing an essential ingredient of the energy mix for a sustainable future.”
90% of Scotland’s electricity demand is provided by renewables – click here to read more.
Credit: The Port of Cromarty Firth