Scotland Living Up to Hydrogen Potential
Keir Starmer’s statement that Scotland would “lead the clean energy revolution” prompted scepticism and doubt, however, the country is living up to its praise, with new initiatives such as the Speyside hydrogen initiative.
As well as this, Scotland are implementing projects which reuse old space, A nuclear plant in Annan being reconstructed into a hydrogen hub being one of them. With ambitious projects like these, the country is setting the stage for a future powered by clean energy.
Storegga’s green hydrogen product
Scottish company Storegga has launched a four-week consultation on its proposal for Speyside Hydrogen, a pioneering project that will produce green hydrogen to fuel operations and support the decarbonisation of distilleries and other businesses across Moray, Morayshire
Green hydrogen can offer an alternative energy source for whisky production supporting the industry to reach its ambitious net zero target by 2040, five years earlier than the Scottish Government targets.
Speyside Hydrogen will see a phased build-out of hydrogen production capacity. The first two phases of the project will deliver a total of 70MW of hydrogen capacity via two electrolyser facilities on a site identified at Ballindalloch, near Marypark.
Storegga will share its initial design for the development with the community and invite feedback, before finalising the design and preparing applications to Moray Council for both phases of the development.
Moray is one of 14 locations identified within the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Policy Statement and Hydrogen Action Plan. The Scottish Government has recognised low carbon hydrogen to be one of the multiple solutions required to replace fossil fuels to achieve the legislated 2045 Net Zero target.
Neil Hardie, Speyside Hydrogen opportunity manager at Storegga said: “Moray has a strong heritage of whisky production and innovation and boasts excellent access to renewable energy and transport infrastructure as well as supply chain expertise.
“Not only does this make it the perfect location for Speyside Hydrogen, but it means our project can ensure culture is preserved by supporting this hard-to-abate industry as we move towards a net-zero economy. We look forward to this opportunity to engage with the local community and to hear their feedback on our proposal.”
Chapelcross hydrogen-hub
A plan showing future of Chapelcross nuclear plant, in Annan, has been unveiled today, showcasing the vision to develop the site into a Green Energy Hub.
The multi-million pound, net-zero focused development includes plans for hydrogen production storage, advanced manufacturing, and energy and enterprise campuses.
Chapelcross is a former nuclear power plant near Annan and is one of the sites being safely and securely decommissioned by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
The development of the hub will drive growth in the local economy of Dumfries and Galloway, but to a larger scale – Scotland, attracting high value jobs, skills and activities in the green energy industry to the area.
NDA CEO, David Peattie, said: “We are committed to decommissioning our sites safely, securely and sustainably – leaving a positive, long-lasting legacy for future generations.
Our ultimate aim is to free up our land for reuse, delivering benefit to local communities the environment and the wider economy – the green energy hub will enable us to deliver this at Chapelcross.”
Richard Murray Chapelcross Site Director, added: “We welcome the Chapelcross masterplan, which builds on our rich history of low carbon energy generation and repositions this for a green energy future. The NDA landholding and the site’s range of existing utilities and grid infrastructure will maximise our contribution to net zero and support sustainable economic growth. The significant release of 60 hectares of NDA land to support phase one is the equivalent of 84 adult football pitches!”
Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader, Gail Macgregor, concluded: “By commissioning this masterplan, we have a clear vision for delivering future jobs which supports our transition to net zero for the region. We are united with Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and South of Scotland Enterprise in our ambition for the future of Chapelcross as a powerful force for change in the local economy and look forward to the design developing.
Byline: Sonny Riddell
