Scotland has high ambitions to develop an internationally significant hydrogen economy, as documented in the Scottish Hydrogen Action Planopens in a new window. A key part of that ambition is to develop 5GW of installed hydrogen production capacity by 2030, then 25GW by 2045.
The economic opportunities associated with hydrogen are not limited solely to its production. Other areas of opportunity include hydrogen use in:
- Distribution
- Storage
- Industry
- Transport
- Chemical feedstock
- Exports to the rest of the UK and Europe
The global transition to hydrogen makes it a lucrative and innovative sector. Now we're showing Scottish companies how to be part of that change.
We're furthering our understanding of the wider hydrogen economy’s requirements and looking for existing capabilities in Scotland that could be useful to the sector.
The Assessment of Electrolysers report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, outlines the current state of electrolyser manufacturing globally. It details how to support the growing supply chain so that Scotland can reach its electrolyser deployment targets. We're working to make links between hydrogen project developers and Scottish companies that can offer relevant products and services.
Read the Assessment of Electrolysers report opens in a new window
Hydrogen projects
Scotland’s hydrogen project pipeline is growing, supported by existing energy generation and infrastructure assets.
Our map of Scotland's hydrogen assets lets you see where hydrogen production, distribution and usage could take place.
View our map of Scotland's hydrogen assetsopens in a new window
We are working to support developing projects and would encourage you to speak to us if you are a project developer and/or an inward investor.
Scotland's hydrogen innovation network (SHINe)
Scotland's hydrogen innovation ecosystem is growing at a fast pace. Scotland's hydrogen innovation network (SHINe) programme helps companies access the wide range of hydrogen innovation resources available.
SHINe aims to speed up innovation in Scotland, strengthen hydrogen capabilities and help companies in the sector build lasting partnerships.
Learn about hydrogen opportunities and news from SHINe
Sector and market opportunities
There are significant opportunities for companies that can contribute to making the large-scale production of green hydrogen more affordable.
Learn about international hydrogen opportunitiesopens in a new window
Recent reports
These reports cover hydrogen opportunities across different sectors in Scotland:
Hydrogen demand study - Scottish industry and transport
Learn how heavy industry, commercial sites, and transport sectors could use hydrogen to decarbonise their energy and fuel needs. This study explains the most likely offtakers, where they're located in Scotland, and their potential volumes of demand.
Read the reports on hydrogen demand in Scotland
Hydrogen for Scottish distilleries
Scotch whisky distilleries have ambitions to become more sustainable –and hydrogen is one of the ways that distilleries can do that. This study helps to simplify the type of hydrogen projects distilleries may consider, its requirements and costs.
Read the report on hydrogen in Scottish distilleries
Scottish hydrogen production – sites and opportunities
There's potential to produce green hydrogen all across Scotland. These studies highlight a range of sites where land, power and water requirements make the production of green hydrogen a possibility.
Read our study on de-centralised green hydrogen production
Read our large-scale study on hydrogen production and export locations
Sustainable aviation fuel mapping
Read about Scotland’s potential to support the use and development of synthetic/sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) – a solution that is widely regarded as the first step towards decarbonising aviation globally. This report defines the global and Scottish market opportunities for SAF and assesses the country’s strengths and appetite to engage in zero-emission aviation. It also provides recommendations on how the Scottish and wider UK public sector can maximise the transition to net zero emissions aviation.
Read the report on synthetic/sustainable aviation fuel
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage
Scotland has a significant opportunity to deploy carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) due to its vast CO2 storage potential in the North Sea and the option to repurpose existing oil and gas infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage.
Scotland also has the skilled, experienced workforce and supply chain required to develop CCUS. This will help reduce carbon emissions across hard-to-abate industries, while also creating and sustaining jobs in Scotland.
Of the four CCUS clusters in the UK, Scotland has one. These clusters will contribute towards the UK Government’s target to capture and store twenty to thirty megatonnes per annum (mtpa) of CO2 by 2030. CCUS in Scotland and across the UK will accelerate in the run up to 2030 to meet this target and will create new opportunities for the Scottish supply chain as a result.
