Hydrogen

The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme has brought together key partners who share ambitions for the region’s renewable, low carbon future.

The programme aims to develop a state-of-the-art hub in the Cromarty Firth to produce, store and distribute green hydrogen at scale to the region, Scotland, other parts of the UK and Europe.

Achieving this will help to drive forward the regional objective to become a strategic national renewable energy hub supporting the achievement of Green Freeport status. This has the potential to allow the Highlands to capitalise on pipeline of multi-billion pound offshore renewable projects and provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people and companies across Scotland.

The Cromarty Firth has been identified as an ideal location for the green hydrogen hub. This is due to its proximity to large-scale renewable electricity supply and a high level of demand locally for this sustainable fuel, including: distilleries, industry, transport (road, rail & aviation) and domestic applications. This is backed by local supply chain expertise and The Highland Council’s ambition for the region to become a hydrogen economy.

Interest in the Cromarty Firth’s green hydrogen opportunity has grown rapidly and the North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme Masterplan has been featured in the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Policy Statement.

The Opportunity Cromarty Firth ‘Hydrogen Working Group’ currently features over 100 member organisations, with a shared interest in developing a state-of-the-art Green Hydrogen hub.