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Hydrogen hub in Highlands could be a 'game-changer'


By Hector MacKenzie

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The Cromarty Firth would be at the centre of the hub.
The Cromarty Firth would be at the centre of the hub.

The Highlands is poised to be at the heart of an energy technology pilot that backers believe will become a revolutionary game changer, capable of generating jobs and driving the economy.

A multi-partner plan centred on the Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon aims to establish a green hydrogen hub that will see Scotland lead the world in the technology.

The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme aims to develop a state-of-the-art hub in the Cromarty Firth to produce, store and distribute hydrogen to the region.

And in a tie up that links cutting-edge technology with one of the area's oldest industries, an initial feasibility study will provide local distilleries with hydrogen energy. It is being privately funded by partners including ScottishPower, drinks giants Glenmorangie, Whyte and Mackay and Diageo and project leader, Pale Blue Dot Energy.

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.

Bob Buskie, chief executive of the port, said such a hub would provide a massive boost to Scotland’s ambitions of decarbonising its economy and establishing itself as a global leader in green hydrogen technology.

The delivery of green hydrogen to the distilleries will give them the opportunity to decarbonise the heating of their distilleries and maltings, situated close to the Cromarty Firth.

A masterplan foresees many applications for the energy technology.
A masterplan foresees many applications for the energy technology.

Mr Buskie said: “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.”

Sam Gomersall, hydrogen champion at Pale Blue Dot Energy, said: “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.”

Up to 15 new offshore wind sites are due to be developed in the coming years, with a significant number on the doorstep of the Cromarty Firth. That, along with the port’s deep waters, established facilities and location at the end of the gas grid and in close proximity to large amounts of renewable energy, make it ideal as a hydrogen hub.

Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said hydrogen had "massive potential" and will help "end our contribution to causing climate change" and could also create significant economic opportunities. He said the port has a long track record as a supply chain hub for offshore energy developments.

.Bob Buskie: 'Huge opportunity'.
.Bob Buskie: 'Huge opportunity'.

Barry Carruthers, ScottishPower’s hydrogen director, said: "The Highlands have been at the heart of the renewable energy revolution over the past two decades and now they look set to be at the centre of the green hydrogen revolution.”

Dr Peter Nelson, operations director at the Glenmorangie Company backed the plans, saying it would be "an important stepping stone to provide a green energy resource for the whole of the north Highlands".

He said: "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.”

The area also has aspirations to secure freeport status to ease post-Brexit trading.


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