EMEC awards funding for additional hydrogen trailers

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has been awarded £454,000 to secure two hydrogen tube trailers that will contribute to improved hydrogen supply in Orkney.

Funding has been made available to help ensure a resilient supply of renewable hydrogen from Eday to the mainland and improve future connectivity between emerging regional hydrogen hubs in the north of Scotland and islands.

Net Zero & Energy Secretary Michael Matheson announced the funding during a trip to Orkney, which included a tour of EMEC’s onshore facilities on Eday, and Kirkwall Airport’s hydrogen-powered combined heat and power engine.

Mr Matheson said, “Our partnership and support of EMEC has helped to pave the way for a number of world-first tidal and hydrogen demonstration projects in Orkney. These projects have been instrumental in developing both hydrogen supply and demand on the islands. These trailers will help support a number of hydrogen projects on Orkney and help it continue to lead the way in Scotland’s emerging hydrogen sector.”

Neil Kermode, EMEC’s Managing Director, said, “These trailers will allow us to use the existing electrolyser more fully and will position EMEC to expand hydrogen production in the coming years.

Graeme Harrison, HIE Area Manager,  said, “It is great to be able to support EMEC with this investment which will help maintain Orkney’s place at the global forefront of renewable energy development.”