Hydrogen hub still lacks Scottish building power
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
By Rob Gibson, former MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Are we on the brink of a hydrogen new age?
In the Scottish Government hydrogen statement last December, Scottish minister Paul Wheelhouse announced: “We set out our vision for Scotland to become a leading hydrogen nation in the production of reliable, competitive, sustainable hydrogen, securing Scotland’s future as a centre of international excellence as we establish the innovation, skills and supply chain to underpin our energy transition.”
He has welcomed the North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme planned for a hub at the Port of Cromarty Firth.
But he indicated that "no one fuel, or technology, is by itself the solution to climate change, but hydrogen has the potential to be an important part of a decarbonised energy system and we are committed to supporting the emerging hydrogen sector in Scotland and also maximising the 'new-industry' benefits that the production of hydrogen may bring".
The Cromarty Firth hydrogen hub seeks to unlock "Scotland's vast offshore wind potential, resulting in Scotland producing large-scale, 'green hydrogen' that is competitively priced within a growing European market".
The Scottish energy minister concluded that: "Analysis tells us that Scotland could produce enough hydrogen to meet our demand and also support an export market to Europe. Our policies will be focused on support for the development of a low-cost hydrogen capability to meet an initial ambition of generating 5GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by 2030."
Let’s put the Cromarty Firth project in perspective. Yes, there could be considerable prospects for skilled jobs over the medium term. Yes, there are major power users such as distilleries, trains and large district heating which could be served. Yes, 15 possible offshore wind farms could gradually develop.
But all the electrolysers and fuel cells will have to be imported from Norway and Denmark for the foreseeable future.
Will our energy industries of the future be privately developed or should there be a Scottish national clean energy corporation? Have we learned from North Sea oil where UK Labour created the British National Oil Corporation only for it to be abolished under Margaret Thatcher and the profits and progress handed to the oil majors?
To see the Cromarty Firth plans as part of a Scottish public hydrogen company could ensure that the public and our job-starved communities would not be captive to a trust port or large private corporation.
The partners of the Cromarty Firth hydrogen hub rightly hail its potential. But newspaper headlines proclaiming it as the envy of the world are wishful thinking.
We want the Cromarty Firth ambition to lead Scotland’s hydrogen initiative. Let’s cut the hyperbole. Key to development is harnessing these 15 offshore wind projects that are still on the drawing board. Again, we must back an all-Scotland policy to succeed.
A Scottish supply chain development programme could grab some manufacturing output of electrolysers and fuel cells where, currently, Norway and Denmark have the lead. Why not Scotland too? And why not build jobs to last from our fortunate clean energy potential?
Meanwhile, the UK government has another focus for future energy needs – a big slice of nuclear power. Also, in December last year, the early commissioning of Hinckley Point power station is a target.
Note this, the UK Atomic Energy Authority is funded from our taxes and is backed by Boris Johnson’s government to commit up to £170 million of the Advanced Nuclear Fund to a research and development programme on AMRs – the next generation of nuclear technologies.
They seek to build a nuclear fusion demonstrator by the early 2030s to prove the potential of this technology and put the UK at the cutting edge against international competitors.
The UK energy policy states: "We aim to build a commercially viable fusion power plant by 2040. Fusion energy would offer low-carbon, continuous, and effectively unlimited power generation." And "the government has already committed over £400 million towards new UK fusion programmes."
In December 2020, the STEP programme published an open call for communities across the UK to apply to host STEP development. Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership sees a prototype fusion plant as a good fit for the skills base at Dounreay.
Never forget, for 20 years and more an average of £160 million has been spent on decommissioning the failed Dounreay fast reactor. Indeed, huge pollution threats from the waste shaft 150 metres in depth were unveiled after an explosion in 1977. It is only now that emptying the shaft is at tender.
The vision for endless power from fusion has long tempted scientists. Today, at much less expense, renewable power is produced by wind and tides, each abundant in and around Caithness.
Is the north of Scotland to be tied further into a prolonged nuclear hangover? Decommissioning Dounreay is scheduled to complete in 2036, they say, and the hopes of the taxpayer-funded UK fusion ploy might become commercially viable in the 2040s?
The engineering skills of Caithness and the Cromarty Firth could build green hydrogen plants and produce components in the wind and tidal supply chain now.
Is that too clear a vision for our local councillors, and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority? Where is their ambition to be part of a Scottish green energy revolution? We await word from Glenurquhart Road and west Caithness.
- robgibson273@btinternet.com
