Inverness hydrogen project is a dram good idea

June 22, 2022

, ,


Credit: Port of Cromarty Firth

It’s time to raise a glass to an exciting new hydrogen project that is helping cement Scotland’s reputation as a centre of green energy innovation.

A hydrogen plant is to be built near Inverness that will power whisky distilleries – as well as bin lorries and buses.

Cromarty Hydrogen Project, which is just north of Inverness, will produce up to 20 tonnes of green hydrogen each day.

And the project, which is a partnership between ScottishPower and decarbonisation development firm Storegga, will see hydrogen replacing existing fossil fuel sources for the heating processes of distilleries.

It’s going ahead after a successful feasibility study with major whisky producers Diageo, Glenmorangie and Whyte & Mackay – all of which have bases in the Cromarty area – and is expected to be up and running from 2024.

The Scotch whisky industry has set out plans to reach net zero emissions by 2040, five years ahead of the Scottish national target and a decade before the UK deadline.

Developers say the Cromarty scheme will help make Scotland’s national drink greener and “transform industry in the Highlands”.

Meanwhile in Aberdeen, the direction of travel towards a greener future is gathering pace and a hydrogen bus project, which made its debut in the city, has reached one million miles since its launch.

The Wrightbus Streetdeck Hydroliner began service in Aberdeen last year. Operator First Bus unveiled the fleet of hydrogen-fuelled double deckers, with 15 vehicles costing £8.3million in council-secured grants from the EU and Scottish Government.

The 12-month milestone – the equivalent of driving around the world 40 times – means the company’s fleet of hydrogen-powered buses has prevented 1,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere compared to journeys made by an equivalent diesel bus.

The reduction in emissions also has the same impact as taking almost 400 cars off the roads for a year with the Hydroliner bus emitting water vapour from its tailpipe, with no harmful emissions – now that’s worth raising a glass to!