A plan to link offshore wind-powered green hydrogen to whisky production has been unveiled by major Scottish players including the local unit of global renewables giant Iberdrola.

The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme aims to tap into major offshore wind development planned off the UK nation for production at a new green H₂ hub in the Cromarty Firth, with the eventual aim to become a large-scale exporter of the key energy transition fuel.

The unspecified level of output would be via electrolysis powered by “current and future” offshore wind in the Cromarty Firth area, as well as onshore wind.

Among the first targets is Scotland’s iconic whisky industry, with Glenmorangie, Whyte and Mackay and Diageo among the corporates funding a feasibility study into how hydrogen could be deployed to decarbonsie heating at their distilleries and maltings in the region.

Partners in the wider project include Port of Cromarty Firth and ScottishPower, the UK utility arm of Iberdrola, whose ScottishPower Renewables division is already one of the nation’s biggest onshore and offshore wind developers.

Barry Carruthers, ScottishPower’s hydrogen director, said: “The North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme is a flagship project, showcasing how partnerships across energy and industry can deliver long-term, sustainable solutions for areas where electrification can’t reach.

“The Highlands of Scotland have been at the heart of the renewable energy revolution over the past two decades and now they look set to be at the centre of the green hydrogen revolution.”

Hydrogen is seen by many as crucial to decarbonising provision of heat and energy-intensive industrial processes, with both green H₂ from renewables and the blue variety from abated gas vying to play a role.

Transition ambition

Scotland – which has a large fossil fuel industrial sector that it wants to transition to cleaner energy sectors – has set out its stall to become a major green hydrogen producer in its own right, aiming to host 5GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030.

The devolved UK nation is also aiming big in offshore wind, with ambitions for 11GW turning off its coasts by 2030.

It plans to be a major force in floating wind power, although its momentum received a setback in February when its flagship Scotwind leasing process was stalled to review the implications of the wider UK Round 4.

Scotland’s energy minister Paul Wheelhouse, said: “It is clear that hydrogen will not only help us end our contribution to causing climate change, but could also create significant economic opportunities in Scotland and, in helping sustain new economic opportunities in a port that has a long track record as a supply chain hub for offshore energy developments.

“It will also support the Just Transition of the North Sea supply chain.”

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Slange var! Scotland eyes hydrogen from offshore wind to green iconic whisky distilleries