Around 100 highly-skilled jobs will be created through the construction of a multi-million pound hub designed to aid the whisky industry.
The Scottish Government and developers Storegga are each putting £3.1 million towards the creation of a green hydrogen hub in Moray.
The hub – which will be based in Marypark, near Ballindalloch – will bring approximately 100 permanent, high-skilled jobs “for people in the local area”.
Moray is home to more than a third of Scotland’s 151 whisky distilleries. The green hydrogen produced will provide fuel and energy for more than 40 industrial sites across the region – including whisky distillers and distiller hauliers – supporting the decarbonisation of the whisky sector.
Acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin, who represents Aberdeenshire East, said: “This Scottish Government funding will support the construction of a new hub in Speyside, creating job opportunities for 100 people in the local area.
“The hub will also support decarbonisation of Scotland’s iconic whisky industry by creating clean energy and heat used for distilling and fuel for transportation.”
Developers Storegga are running a consultation until September 6, with a drop-in public event taking place at Glenlivet Public Hall on Thursday, August 22, from 12pm to 7pm.
The developers will share the initial design with the community and invite feedback, before finalising the design and preparing applications to Moray Council for both phases of the development.
A second event will take place in October to provide relevant updates and share how feedback has been incorporated into development plans.
Tim Stedman, Storegga CEO, said: “Storegga is thrilled to be leading the development of the green hydrogen hub in Speyside, a project that marks a crucial step in Scotland’s energy transition.
“We are deeply grateful to the Scottish Government for their support which is instrumental in bringing this vision to life. We are committed to engaging with the local community through ongoing public consultations, ensuring that this project benefits both the region and its residents.”
The development is expected to produce 200MW of green hydrogen by 2032 – the equivalent to the production of enough hydrogen to heat more than 8000 homes.
Once fully operational, the new hub is expected to save around 190,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
This is the equivalent of a 35 per cent drop in the Scottish whisky sector’s 2018 baseline emissions, or the equivalent of taking around 135,000 cars from roads in Scotland.
Green hydrogen is made by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy, and can be used for fuel for transportation, commercial and industrial heat.