Moray Council in Scotland has hired Mott MacDonald to work on its hydrogen strategy.
By 2030, Moray Council wants to be carbon neutral, and by 2045, it wants to be carbon-free. The hydrogen strategy will be a big part of both of these goals. The strategy, which is partly funded by the Highlands and Islands Executive (HIE), will also look into ways for businesses in Moray, like the whisky and offshore renewables industries, to use hydrogen as a source of energy.
The strategy will help the Council think about its future energy needs and show how hydrogen can be a good alternative to fossil fuels and other renewable energy sources. The strategy will help Moray become a more sustainable and climate-resilient region when it is used with other climate change projects that Moray Council is already working on.
The Moray hydrogen strategy is the latest in a long line of global projects that have been done across the hydrogen value chain. These projects include the Teesside hydrogen transport hub, the Green Seas maritime decarbonization project in Northern Ireland, and our role as the technical architect for the UK Government’s plan to convert the gas network to allow hydrogen to be used to decarbonize heat in the UK.
Kevin Burnett, principal account lead for East and North of Scotland for Mott MacDonald said: “We are proud to support Moray Council in developing its hydrogen strategy and helping the region become carbon neutral by 2030. We are able to offer Moray expertise drawn from across the global hydrogen and power sectors and our aim is to advance sustained economic, social and environmental wellbeing.”
Cllr Graham Leadbitter, Leader of the Moray Council said: “Hydrogen is fast becoming a key energy resource in the transition to a low carbon future, and we want to make sure Moray is ready to take advantage of this. Moray is located halfway between the large-scale hydrogen projects in Inverness and Aberdeen, and as we seek to develop a just transition away from oil and gas, hydrogen could be an opportunity to create local energy, to support local jobs, and to assist in reducing fuel poverty. Mott MacDonald have been appointed to provide expert assessment and advice that will help us progress our hydrogen strategy and, along with the HIE, we are excited to start working with them to develop a Hydrogen Corridor along the A96.”
