Scotland is at a pivotal point in its journey towards sustainability, facing the reality that its 2030 net-zero targets are unlikely to be met. However, the commitment to achieving the 2045 targets remains firm. Within this context, green hydrogen emerges as a potential game-changer.
Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy sources such as wind, tidal, or solar power. Unlike traditional hydrogen production methods, which rely on fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases, green hydrogen production generates zero emissions.
Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources make green hydrogen particularly promising. The potential applications of green hydrogen are vast, with significant implications for various sectors:
The Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Action Plan, published in 2022, outlines a target of achieving at least 25GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2045. This ambitious plan includes a £100 million investment from the Emerging Energy Technologies Fund, with £7 million already allocated to the Hydrogen Innovation Scheme to finance 32 projects aimed at boosting green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution.
Additionally, the Hydrogen Coordination Forum has outlined ten key initiatives to accelerate hydrogen infrastructure development. These initiatives aim to streamline the planning framework, reduce costs and delays, and foster investor confidence.
This month, plans were unveiled for 13 new Regional Hydrogen Hubs in Scotland, focusing on production, storage, distribution, end-use, and exportation of hydrogen. Additionally, GreenPower has secured planning approval for a green hydrogen production facility in Oban, expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
The Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Hydrogen Programme aims to develop a state-of-the-art hub in the Cromarty Firth to produce, store, and distribute green hydrogen at scale. This programme could serve not only the region but also other parts of the UK and Europe.
Green hydrogen, though still in its early development stages, holds immense promise for Scotland’s renewable energy future. Continued investment in essential infrastructure is crucial for enhancing production and storage capacities, making green hydrogen more cost-efficient and competitive with other hydrogen forms and fossil fuels. This progress is vital for Scotland as it continues to pursue its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.
