Cromarty Firth Port ‘ideal home’ for green hydrogen electrolyser

Port of Cromarty Firth has been pinpointed as the “ideal home” for the UK’s largest green hydrogen electrolyser, a feasibility study has found.

The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme Distilleries Project has compiled a list of sites that would be suitable to house a 35 megawatt electrolyser by 2024.

The Highland facility, which would be capable of producing up to 14 tonnes of green hydrogen a day, could also be expanded to meet growing demand.

Green hydrogen is a key facet of the Scottish Government’s decarbonisation strategy.

The fuel is produced by splitting water atoms through a process called electrolysis, with the power being supplied by renewable energy.

The feasibility study examined the viability of a facility in the Cromarty Firth supplying local distilleries with green hydrogen, decarbonising the process.

It was backed by partners including Scottish-Power, Pale Blue Dot, a subsidiary of Storegga and Port of Cromarty Firth, as well as drinks giants Glenmorangie, Whyte & Mackay and Diageo.

Port of Cromarty Firth was found to be particularly suitable due to a high concentration of nearby renewable energy potential, including offshore wind sites that could supply power.

The study proposes a phased development for the facility, starting with an electrolyser being placed by 2024 to meet local and distillery demands.

A second phase would lead to an expansion.

Cromarty Firth benefits from offshore wind proximity.