Cromarty Hydrogen to kick-start hydrogen economy in Scotland

Cromarty Hydrogen, being jointly developed by Storegga and ScottishPower, will play a key role in contributing to the decarbonisation of Scotland’s whisky industry, establishing a regional hydrogen hub in the Inverness and Cromarty Firth region of Scotland. The construction of Cromarty Hydrogen will employ around 170 individuals during construction and create around 30 new high skilled jobs in the first phase, with more to follow as the project expands and develops. The site will supply green hydrogen to the local whisky distilling sector, enabling them to switch from fossil fuels in line with their own ambitions and targets.

With its abundant natural resources and strategic positioning, Scotland possesses immense potential for renewable energy, making it a frontrunner in pioneering sustainable energy solutions in the race to net zero. Cromarty Hydrogen will not only aid in decarbonising Scottish industry, but will also help to kick-start the hydrogen economy in the North of Scotland which aligns seamlessly with the Scottish government’s hydrogen action plan, the broader national strategy encompassing the creation of 14 regional hydrogen hubs and associated hydrogen use.

Cromarty Hydrogen’s Phase 1 will produce close to 5500 kg/d of green hydrogen. The hydrogen production plant will use 100% renewable power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis. Long-term production, through future phases, has the potential to rise to over 100 000 kg/d, for delivery throughout the region to distilleries and other industrial and transport sectors.

"After a lot of hard work by the integrated Storegga and ScottishPower project team, particularly over the past 18 months since the UK Government launch of HAR1, I am delighted that Cromarty has been selected by the UK Government Department of Energy Security and Net Zero as one of 11 projects to be awarded a funding support contract. I believe Storegga is able to bring a unique perspective and ambition to deliver decarbonisation solutions for Scottish industry. We look forward to now being able to take the project forward to a Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2024, with first production in 2026 and continuing to grow our hydrogen investments in the region," said Sarah Potts, Storegga’s Hydrogen Managing Director.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/14122023/cromarty-hydrogen-to-kick-start-hydrogen-economy-in-scotland/