Business Minister Ivan McKee has signed a MoU between Scotland and Singapore on behalf of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association at a MoU Ceremony in Singapore, witnessed by Noel Chin, President of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association of Singapore (HFCAS) and Kara Owen, British High Commissioner to Singapore.

This MoU between the HFCAS and the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association will help to build links for H₂ trade and innovation opportunities between Scotland and Singapore. Developing and sharing best practice in the deployment and safe use of low-carbon H₂ technologies which will be critical for delivering net-zero targets in both Scotland and Singapore.

The MoU Ceremony in Singapore was attended by Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee, who is in Southeast Asia on a week-long visit to further enhance trade and investment links between Scotland and the region.

Minister McKee, said, “I am looking forward to engaging closely with the HFCAS to increase awareness of Scotland’s strengths in H₂ production and supply. The signing of this MoU between HFCAS and Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association is an important milestone as we continue to strive towards reaching our net-zero commitments.”

As part of the partnership SHFCA and HFCAS activities will help stimulate joint H₂ and fuel cell technology commercial projects in Scotland and Singapore. Both organizations also committed to:

• Identifying and overcoming common technology barriers to the production, distribution, storage and use of H₂
• Sharing best practice regarding H₂ and fuel cell codes and regulations
• Exchanging collateral such as whitepapers, case studies and reports
• Facilitating networking and communications between the SHFCA and the HFCAS via trade missions, conferences, exhibitions, workshops, webinars and/or meetings.

Established in 2004, SHFCA promotes and develops expertise in fuel cells and H₂ technologies. SHFCA has more than 180 members from across industry, academia and the public sector, reflecting the increasing role for H₂ and fuel cell technologies to enable the deployment of renewables and low-carbon technologies in the net-zero energy system.

Nigel Holmes, CEO of SHFCA, said, “This Memorandum of Understanding between the Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association of Singapore and the Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association will build links that identify and develop trade and innovation opportunities between our members. This can help us to develop and share best practice in the deployment and safe use of low carbon hydrogen technologies which will be critical for delivering net zero targets in both Scotland and Singapore.” HFCAS is now one of our growing number of SHFCA Associated Members.

The HFCAS supports the push for H₂ and fuel cell development and deployment in Singapore. Since its formation in 2019, HFCAS has promoted the use of H₂ and fuel cells to help in Singapore’s decarbonization efforts and move towards a greener energy mix for power generation, mobility and industrial applications.

Noel Chin, President of HFCAS, said, “HFCAS is delighted to establish this MoU with SHFCA. We believe that this will open up doorways for Singapore enterprises to explore pathways in working with Scottish companies on the H₂ ecosystem, and vice versa. It would also forge closer ties and allow for exchange of knowledge between Singapore and Scotland, and where both HFCAS and SHFCAS can work together in creating opportunities for our members to come together and discuss about potential partnerships and projects.”