Storegga has announced the opening of a public consultation for its Speyside Hydrogen project, designed to produce green hydrogen to power distilleries and other businesses in the Moray region.
The aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of this industry, which currently accounts for a significant proportion of the region’s fossil fuel consumption.
The Speyside Hydrogen project, which will be rolled out in several phases, envisages a production capacity of 70 MW via electrolysis facilities powered by renewable electricity.
The consultation, which will run until September 5, aims to gather the views of the local community, including at an event at Glenlivet Public Hall on August 22.
Economic and environmental impact
The Speyside Hydrogen initiative is designed to support decarbonization efforts in a region where the whisky industry plays a crucial economic role.
As well as reducing dependence on fossil fuels, the project is expected to maintain jobs in the sector, while creating new opportunities in the construction and operation phases.
The project is part of the wider strategy of the Scottish Government, which has identified Moray as one of 14 priority sites for hydrogen development under its Hydrogen Policy.
This initiative aims to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, making hydrogen a key solution for replacing fossil fuels.
Strategic issues for Moray
Neil Hardie, Speyside Hydrogen Project Manager at Storegga, emphasized the strategic importance of Moray for this project, due to its privileged access to renewable energy resources and transport infrastructure.
The development of green hydrogen in this region is seen as central to supporting an energy transition while preserving traditional activities such as whisky production.
Storegga has already submitted a Notice of Proposed Application to Moray Council, pledging to maintain a transparent and ongoing dialogue with all relevant stakeholders.
This consultation process is essential to adjust the project in line with community feedback and to ensure that local concerns are properly addressed.
The success of Speyside Hydrogen could not only have a positive impact on the whisky industry, but also serve as a model for other regions seeking to integrate green hydrogen into their decarbonization strategies.
