A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Port of Cromarty Firth and Norway-based Gen2 Energy to create a commercial pathway to import green hydrogen from Norway into the UK energy market. The goal of the project is to guarantee the supply of green hydrogen to customers who want to use this clean form of energy by mid-2023, giving them the confidence to switch to new energy infrastructures.
Furthermore, the project will help the Scottish government achieve its aim of becoming a hydrogen-producing nation, supplying 5GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.
The Firth is set to become the UK transhipment hub for Gen2 Energy’s hydrogen, which is produced using Norway’s surplus renewable energy. The hydrogen will be shipped via the North Sea to the port, before being distributed to UK customers.
“This is a historic moment for the port and for the move toward green hydrogen as a reliable and secure source of energy in the Highlands, Scotland and the UK,” commented Port of Cromarty Firth chief executive, Bob Buskie.
He continued, “We are on the cusp of another renewable energy revolution, with demand for clean energy rising every year. This MoU can put the Highlands on the map as one of the largest suppliers of clean hydrogen energy in Europe, alongside our established leadership in the onshore and offshore wind markets.”
“Norway’s remote northern regions have similar issues to the Highlands in terms of an excess of renewable energy, and constraints on putting that energy into the electricity grid. However, they are significantly more advanced domestically in the production of green hydrogen. The ability to produce and ship hydrogen to new markets is a huge opportunity for them and they see the port as a key partner in the UK market. This will give companies throughout Scotland, and indeed the UK, the confidence to switch their infrastructure to clean energy sources, accelerating the decarbonization process.”