Jamie Stone points to hydrogen potential at wind farm sites in far north
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Local MP Jamie Stone has claimed that the far north can become a world leader in producing hydrogen at wind farm sites.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he highlighted the number of onshore and offshore turbines producing electricity in his Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency – and suggested that hydrogen could be generated at the same locations.
The Liberal Democrat MP suggested that doing so could create skilled jobs locally.
Mr Stone raised the matter with Greg Hands, UK minister for business, energy and clean growth.
“Between onshore and offshore, my constituency has more wind turbines than I can shake a stick at," Mr Stone said. "Would the minister agree with me that really we should be generating hydrogen where the electricity is being made?”
Mr Hands replied: “I think in these past five months in this job, I’ve been to Scotland four times. One [of those visits] was to the Whitelee wind farm, just south of Glasgow.
"It is the UK’s largest onshore wind farm, which then generates extra energy to produce hydrogen on site which will power Glasgow’s buses and dustcart fleet, hopefully for years to come.”
Speaking after the debate, Mr Stone said: “There is not only an environmental case for hydrogen, there is a socio-economic one. By generating hydrogen in my constituency, we would create desperately needed skilled jobs.
"We have many fine scientific minds in the north Highlands who I am sure would relish the opportunity to be world leaders in this area.”
