THE hydrogen sector will receive £100 million over the next five years to support a green recovery and Scotland’s just transition to net zero.
Scotland is set to become a leading hydrogen nation, with an ambition to generate 5GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by 2030 – enough to power the equivalent of 1.8 million homes.
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Economic impact research suggests the industry has the potential to be worth up to £25 billion a year to the Scottish economy by 2045.
Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland’s energy minister, said: “We are the first country in the UK to publish a Hydrogen Policy Statement that sets out how we can make the most of Scotland’s massive potential in this new sector.
“Hydrogen is rapidly emerging across the international community as a sustainable solution for the decarbonisation of the economy and a key element of the energy transition picture. Scotland is prepared to play its full part together with other European nations – that’s why we’re publishing this key policy statement today and investing £100 million of Scottish Government resources to stimulate the sector and its supply chain.
“Scotland has, in abundance, all the raw ingredients necessary for the production of low-cost hydrogen as well as one of the largest concentrations of offshore engineering expertise in the world that can harness Scotland’s renewable energy potential in technologies like wind, wave and tidal power, to produce green hydrogen.”
Nigel Holmes, Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association chief executive, said: “This ambition builds on the experience and lessons learned with projects in Aberdeen, Fife, Orkney, and the Western Isles.
“Islands and ports will be hubs for energy innovation, bringing together large-scale renewables for green hydrogen production.”
