Scotland is emerging as a frontrunner in the global hydrogen economy, shifting from early hype to tangible, high-impact deployment of green hydrogen technologies. As the net zero clock ticks down, a wave of industrial-scale projects is positioning the country as a model for how hydrogen can decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors—while building a new clean energy economy.
From Hype to Hard Reality
The global hydrogen conversation surged after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which put energy security and supply chains into sharp focus. Initially hailed as a silver bullet, hydrogen has since taken on a more grounded role: an essential, but targeted, component in the low-carbon transition.
In this pragmatic landscape, Scotland has carved out a distinct leadership position. With government targets aiming for 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030 and 25GW by 2045, the focus is now on delivery—and Scotland is moving fast.
“Hydrogen isn’t the complete solution – but it is a crucial part of the solution,” says Craig Stewart, business development director at Edinburgh-based Logan Energy.
Scotland’s Projects Dominate UK Hydrogen Pipeline
Scotland featured heavily in the UK Government’s latest Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2), with eight of the 27 shortlisted projects located north of the border. These projects, prioritising electrolytic hydrogen, are currently under value-for-money assessments before funding is released—but they underscore Scotland’s momentum.
One standout is Whitelee Wind Farm, the UK’s largest onshore wind farm. Its hydrogen project, supported in HAR1 and now advancing into Phase 2, will produce eight tonnes of green hydrogen per day, using a 550MW wind-powered electrolyser and a newly approved 5.6km water pipeline.
Logan Energy: Twenty Years in a Nascent Industry
While many hydrogen firms are start-ups, Logan Energy brings two decades of experience to the table. Based in Edinburgh, the company is involved in the full value chain—design, supply, integration, installation, and maintenance of hydrogen systems.
From refuelling stations for buses and construction vehicles to hydrogen-powered distilleries, Logan is embedded in Scotland’s expanding hydrogen ecosystem.
“There’s an ecosystem developing in Scotland to support the growing hydrogen industry,” says Stewart. “We’re helping decarbonise transport, industrial processes, and even whisky.”
Whisky Goes Green: Hydrogen-Powered Distilleries
Scotland’s £5.6 billion whisky export industry is undergoing its own green transition, with hydrogen at the core.
Hydrogen-ready distilleries include:
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Arbikie Distillery (Angus): Using wind-powered electrolysis to create hydrogen for whisky production.
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Cromarty Hydrogen Project: A 30MW facility producing 20,000kg of hydrogen daily, potentially supplying nearby distilleries.
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Speyside Hydrogen (Storegga): A 70MW project supporting multiple distilleries in whisky country.
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“They’re doing a lot to create one of the lowest carbon footprint whiskies,” says Stewart. “It’s gaining serious traction.”
H100 Fife: World-First Hydrogen Homes Project
In Fife, hydrogen is heating homes for the first time globally through the H100 project, a UK-first green hydrogen network developed by SGN.
Powered by a nearby 7MW wind turbine and 5MW electrolyser, the project is supplying hydrogen via an 8.4km dedicated pipe to 300 homes. Residents are trialling hydrogen cookers and boilers, with two demo homes already operational.
To support this, SGN and Fife College are training engineers for hydrogen boiler maintenance, establishing the UK’s first hydrogen skills facility.
Hydrogen for Shipping: Decarbonising Ports
Hydrogen is also being deployed at the Port of Leith, tackling one of shipping’s most polluting pain points: emissions from docked vessels.
In an Innovate UK-funded initiative led by Logan Energy, wastewater from a nearby treatment facility is turned into green hydrogen. This fuels a hydrogen combustion engine, replacing diesel generators previously used for shore power.
The project is touted as the world’s first green hydrogen shore power demonstrator, bringing together hydrogen specialists, wastewater engineers, and port operators—all showcasing Scotland’s collaborative energy ecosystem.
Talent, Academia, and Industrial Convergence
A key differentiator for Scotland is its deep integration between universities and industry. Logan Energy collaborates with:
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Heriot-Watt University (headquarters)
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University of Strathclyde
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University of St Andrews
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University of Edinburgh
These institutions contribute not only research and technical leadership, but also a pipeline of skilled graduates feeding into the hydrogen sector.
“We’ve got just over 40 employees, and many have transitioned from oil & gas,” says Stewart. “There’s a global engineer shortage, but Scotland has universities and energy sector crossover to fill the gap.”
Global Lessons from Scotland’s Green Hydrogen Blueprint
While many nations are still mapping their hydrogen pathways, Scotland is executing them. What sets the country apart is not just ambition, but real progress:
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Strategic alignment between government, academia, and private sector
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A diversified portfolio across heat, transport, industry, and export
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Practical projects already operating, not just in planning
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Talent development to support future scaling
With its expanding portfolio of projects and a maturing ecosystem, Scotland is no longer just a hydrogen pioneer—it is becoming a hydrogen powerhouse
