Getech subsidiary H2 Green has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Highland Council in Scotland aimed at creating a regional network of green hydrogen hubs across the Scottish Highlands.
Under the terms of the MoU, H2 Green and the Highland Council will produce a regional plan to develop a network of green hydrogen hubs at optimal locations across the region.
They will also establish commercial agreements for green hydrogen off-take, underpinned by transport decarbonisation initiatives in the Highlands, and set up commercial agreements for consumption of by-products of hydrogen generation, including oxygen and zero-emission heat.
The Highland Council will contribute £100,000 to the cost of this initial work.
The partners have already started negotiations on the terms of a joint venture agreement under which the proposed Highlands decarbonisation plan will be delivered.
To facilitate this negotiation, the Highland Council has granted H2 Green six months of exclusivity.
Getech chief executive officer Jonathan Copus (pictured, right) said: “The signing of the MoU is a significant milestone for our plan to establish a world-class regional hydrogen network in the Highlands.
“At the core of this network is our first planned hydrogen hub with SGN Commercial Services located in Inverness, which will service large-volume customers.
“In line with these goals, we have already announced agreements with Eversholt Rail to accelerate the wide-scale deployment of their hydrogen-powered trains on the Far North and West Highland Lines of Scotland.
“These activities combined with the Highland Council initiative are set to establish the Highlands as the leading UK-centre for decarbonisation and innovation; they will also support job creation, deliver energy security and provide a sustainable path for the region’s net zero transition.”
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “The Highland Council and H2 Green have an agreed vision to create a regional network of hydrogen hubs across the Highlands.
“We view H2 Green as a dynamic and delivery-focused partner positioned to deliver this vision for the Council. The planned work has the potential to establish the Highlands as a leading innovation centre for the decarbonisation of commercial transport.
“We see this as an important opportunity to attract external investment into the region, providing additional jobs and supply chain developments that will accelerate the net zero transition.”
SGN director of commercial services and investments Marcus Hunt said: “SGN is fully committed to supporting decarbonisation and the development of the Hydrogen economy and this is an exciting development on that journey with H2 Green and the Highland Council, helping to bring zero carbon fuel and wider economic benefits associated with the H2 economy to the Highlands region.”