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HIE welcomes £100m investment plans for hydrogen sector

Published: 21/12/2020

HIE has welcomed the announcement today (Monday 21 Dec) that the hydrogen sector in Scotland is to receive £100m support over the next five years.

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Audrey MacIver, HIE's director of energy and low carbon (credit: Tim Winterburn)

The Scottish Government hydrogen policy statement will ensure support for a green recovery and transition to a net-zero economy.

Audrey MacIver, HIE’s director of energy and low carbon, said the Highlands and Islands is well placed to benefit from hydrogen production. She added:

“We have the natural resource required through onshore and offshore wind as well as wave and tidal. 

“The development of a strong hydrogen economy could create economic benefits for businesses, communities and our workforce. Many businesses could also benefit from switching to hydrogen use for their production, which would contribute to the transition to a carbon neutral economy. 

“We very much welcome publication of the Scottish Government’s hydrogen policy statement and look forward to working with businesses and stakeholders across the Highlands and Islands to explore exciting new opportunities likely to arise from this.”

The government’s ambition is for Scotland to become a leading hydrogen nation, generating 5GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by 2030 – enough to power the equivalent of 1.8 million homes.

Economic impact research suggests the industry has the potential to be worth up to £25bn a year to the Scottish economy by 2045.

Hydrogen emits no carbon dioxide. It can be used as an alternative to natural gas to transfer and store energy and could replace fossil fuels in industrial processes, internal combustion engines and homes.

The full announcement is available on the Scottish Government website

 

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