Port of Cromarty Firth, Gen2 join to import green hydrogen

Scotland’s Port of Cromarty Firth has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with Norwegian firm Gen2 Energy to import green hydrogen from Norway into the UK.

The port will become the UK transhipment hub for Gen2 Energy’s hydrogen, produced from Norway’s surplus renewable energy, which will be shipped across the North Sea to the Port. Hydrogen would then be distributed to customers across the UK by road, rail and sea.

This is to secure the supply for the port’s plans for a largescale electrolyser facility. It will also help realise the Scottish Government’s ambition to become a leading hydrogen nation that generates 5 gigawatt of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.

Port of Cromarty Firth chief executive Bob Buskie said: “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 to 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 decarbonisation process.”

Jonas Meyer, CEO of Gen2 Energy, said: “The agreement marks a significant milestone in the creation of a value chain for hydrogen between Norway and the UK, resulting in significant environmental and social benefits as we move towards a net zero-emission society.”