Port of Leith to Trial Green Hydrogen Shore Power

A consortium of four Scottish renewable and maritime companies have been awarded government funding of over £535,000 to develop an innovative UK-first approach that will use clean, green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when berthed in port.

Supported by Forth Ports, the trial will see the large tugs operating out of the Port of Leith powered by green hydrogen when tied up.

The green hydrogen will be produced from treated wastewater from a nearby water treatment works, without compromising local water supplies.

This year-long trial, run by partners Forth Ports, Waterwhelm, Logan Energy, and PlusZero, will deliver a state-of-the-art demonstrator system for green hydrogen shore power which marine vessels can use when they are berthed, removing the need for the diesel-powered systems which are currently in use on some quaysides.

The project will act as a precursor to the deployment of green hydrogen in shore power supply to large ships and vessels.

It will work to address an important challenge in decarbonising the maritime industry, particularly in remote locations or areas where a connection to the main electricity grid is not available.