Northern Scotland is advancing with plans to develop a transshipment port and a hydrogen hub. Port of Cromarty Firth and Gen2 Energy, a Norwegian firm, has signed an MOU aimed at establishing an underground commercial pathway transporting green hydrogen from Norway to the UK. Becoming a hydrogen hub will also allow Scotland to lead the renewable energy market.
Bob Buskie (CE, Port of Cromarty Firth) said, “Through this Memorandum of Understanding, we have the potential to not only distribute green hydrogen but develop our substantial production infrastructure, allowing Scotland to retain its position as a global frontrunner in clean energy.”
Previously, the Scottish government also declared plans to become a leading hydrogen-generating nation, aiming to achieve a production level goal of 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030. The generation of clean energy will be enough to power 1.8 million homes with hydrogen, as per government estimates.
Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (FCA) in March, proclaimed the idea of building an electrolyzer facility in the port area, a study for the feasibility of which has already started beforehand. The plan also calls for 15 offshore wind farms to become a feeder for the plant with designated storage and distribution capabilities in place. Initially, hydrogen would be supplied to the local distilleries and then to other industries like shipping, rail, as well as aviation.
This agreement is in terms of securing a smooth supply of hydrogen, as Norway has the potential to supply hydrogen surplus to local needs. Also switching to hydrogen will attain decarbonization quicker, which is believed to aid the local business in earning additional profits.
Gen2 Energy will turn the Scottish port into the UK’s transshipment hub for hydrogen. The surplus hydrogen by Norway will then travel across the North Sea, being distributed all across the UK through road, rail, and sea.
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