Scottish Government's commitment to hydrogen will create new jobs
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SCOTLAND'S leading stance on hydrogen power will pay off in the creation of new jobs, according to a leading figure in the sector.
Ryse Hydrogen and Wrightbus boss Jo Bamford was welcoming the Scottish Government's renewed pledge to support the hydrogen industry.
In a response to a report from its advisory group on economic recovery, the Scottish Government has recommitted to publishing its hydrogen policy statement and action plan later this year.
It also anticipates new hydrogen projects coming forward from its energy transition fund initiative.
A number of pioneering hydrogen power projects have already received Scottish Government support.
These include the Surf n Turf project in Orkney, which converts and stores tidal and wind energy as hydrogen, and 10 hydrogen fuel cell powered buses in Aberdeen.
Mr Bamford shares a commitment to hydrogen powered public transport and earlier this year announced his ambition to deliver 3000 state-of-the-art hydrogen powered buses across the UK by 2024.
This includes a new hydrogen bus fleet for Aberdeen, with Ryse Hydrogen pledging to work with the Scottish Government and local authorities to make the city a world leader in hydrogen by creating a hydrogen hub.
“The Scottish Government has shown strong, global-leadership on hydrogen, and it is great to see the renewal of this commitment and ambition in its response to the advisory group on the economic recovery report," he said.
“Without doubt, taking steps to unlock Scotland’s hydrogen economy will create new jobs today and many more over future years.
"Later this year Wrightbus will introduce a fleet of world-first hydrogen double decker buses in Aberdeen, and Ryse Hydrogen have plans to build green hydrogen production facilities in Aberdeen and Glasgow. It is essential that strong partnerships exist between government, local authorities and business to unlock investments like these."
