The Scottish Government has announced that it has published its plan to cement the nation’s place as a world leader in hydrogen production.
Setting out the steps that Scotland will use to help its emerging hydrogen sector, the Hydrogen Action Plan will aim to achieve an ambition of Gigawatts of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, which would cover a sixth of Scotland’s energy needs.
With this being targeted by 2030, the Scottish Government is also aiming to produce 25 Gigawatts by 2045, which would not only support the nation’s need for sustainable energy, but also has the potential to support more than 300,000 jobs.
Michael Matheson, Net Zero and Energy Secretary, said:
“Hydrogen could present Scotland’s greatest industrial opportunity since oil and gas was discovered in the North Sea.
“The technology has tremendous potential to help deliver a just transition for or energy sector, realising huge economic benefits while supporting our net zero transformation.
“Scotland has vast natural resources with which we can become world leaders in renewable hydrogen production and export, while others are looking beyond their borders nations that can produce and provide hydrogen at scale.
“Our Hydrogen Action Plan reaffirms the Scottish Government’s clear commitment to helping our hydrogen sector grow and prosper. We are open to the world and actively collaborating with international partners in order to realise the benefits of hydrogen.”
The potential of Scotland coming a world leader in hydrogen production could contribute somewhere between £5 billion and £25 billion per year by 2045, depending on the scale of the production and export operations. This will also be supported by the availability of £100 million being allocated by the Scottish Government, including a £90 million Green Hydrogen Fund which will open at the beginning of next year.
