Storegga has launched a four-week consultation on its proposal for Speyside H₂, a pioneering project that will produce green H₂ to fuel operations and support the decarbonization of distilleries and other businesses across Moray.

Scotland is home to 151 whisky distilleries with more than 50 of these located in Moray which, between them, account for almost 45% of the total fossil fuel demand in the region.

Green H₂ can offer an alternative energy source for whisky production supporting the industry to reach its ambitious net zero target by 2040, five years earlier than the Scottish Government targets.

The project will produce green H₂ through the electrolysis of water using renewable electricity. The process entails water being split into two parts, H₂ and oxygen, and its production results in no harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Speyside H₂ will see a phased build-out of H₂ production capacity.  The first two phases of the project will deliver a total of 70MW of H2 capacity via two electrolyzer facilities on a site identified at Ballindalloch, near Marypark.

The public consultation will run until 23:59 on 5 September with a drop-in public event taking place at Glenlivet Public Hall on Thursday, 22 August from 12:00pm to 19:00pm.

Storegga will share its initial design for the development with the community and invite feedback, before finalizing 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.

The development will support the decarbonization necessary to help safeguard existing employment at distilleries and their supply chain partners while creating new highly skilled, high-value jobs during the construction and subsequent operation of the facility.

Moray is one of 14 locations identified within the Scottish Government’s H₂ Policy Statement and H₂ Action Plan. The Scottish Government has recognized low carbon H₂ to be one of the multiple solutions required to replace fossil fuels to achieve the legislated 2045 net zero target. 

Neil Hardie, Speyside H₂ opportunity manager at Storegga said, “Moray has a strong heritage of whisky production and innovation and boasts excellent access to renewable energy and transport infrastructure as well as supply chain expertise.

“Not only does this make it the perfect location for Speyside H₂, but it means our project can ensure culture is preserved by supporting this hard-to-abate industry as we move towards a net-zero economy. We look forward to this opportunity to engage with the local community and to hear their feedback on our proposal.”

Storegga submitted a proposal of application notice (PoAN) to Moray Council which outlines plans to consult on the proposal with relevant stakeholders and is committed to ongoing engagement with all stakeholders to ensure transparency and address any emerging concerns.