Projects in Orkney are amongst the 32 in Scotland which will benefit from Scottish Government investment in green hydrogen.

The Hydrogen Innovation Scheme was launched in June 2022 and is targeted at supporting innovation under the themes of renewable hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and distribution, and integration of hydrogen into Scotland’s energy system.

£150,000 has been awarded to Stromness based EMEC for: A study that will focus on offshore production of green hydrogen on a floating hydrogen production hub (HySKUA) co-located with Scottish offshore windfarms.

£112,838 has been awarded to Locogen Ltd. for an Orkney sea water electrolysis project,  to investigate the feasibility of using seawater as the feedwater to an electrolyser system.

Commenting on the funding investment, Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick was delighted to see almost £413,000 allocated to projects in Orkney, including a study into producing green hydrogen from seawater and the creation of an offshore floating hydrogen hub.

“I am delighted to see the Hydrogen Innovation Scheme announced this week and I am particularly pleased to see exciting, innovative projects in Orkney amongst the 32 recipients.”

“There is such a wealth of opportunity in the islands, and it is fantastic to see this being invested in.

“These projects will play a key role in developing how we produce, use and store hydrogen and in achieving a just energy transition for Scotland.

“With the Scottish Government allocating £100 million over this parliamentary session to supporting the green hydrogen sector, this scheme is just another demonstration of the SNP’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future.”

The largest of this current round of awards, £1,129,000, has gone towards the development of the Creed Hydrogen Skills and Innovation Centre, to establish a green hydrogen production learning, test and research hub at Creed Park, Stornoway which aims to accelerate the development of a hydrogen ecosystem in the Outer Hebrides.

David Macleod, Head of Municipal Services at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said:

“Project partners Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, UHI Outer Hebrides and PlusZero Ltd are delighted that the Creed Hydrogen Skills and Innovation Centre has been selected to receive funding.

“This ground-breaking public, private and university collaboration will help deliver the skilled workforce and robust hydrogen technology needed to support the Outer Hebrides ambitions to be Scotland’s leading green hydrogen production hub and play a key role in achieving the Scottish Government’s ambition for delivering 5 gigawatts of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030.”

Announcing the awards at  the All-Energy conference in Glasgow this week Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland said:

“We have committed £100 million, over this parliamentary session, to supporting the green hydrogen sector.

““The projects cover a wide range of different areas – such as how to produce and store hydrogen on floating windfarms, and how to decarbonise agriculture and forestry work in rural areas. Together, they show the range of possible ways in which hydrogen can be produced, used and stored. They highlight the expertise and innovation that is already such an important part of the sector. And, of course, they demonstrate the scale of the opportunities that hydrogen can create.”