Storegga has opened the second public consultation for its Speyside Hydrogen project, a cutting-edge green hydrogen facility planned for Moray, Scotland.
The four-week consultation, which began yesterday, invites local community members and stakeholders to review the latest project plans and provide feedback, building on insights gathered during the initial consultation phase in August.
A key element of this consultation is a drop-in event scheduled for November 28th at Fleming Hall, Aberlour, from 12 pm to 7 pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the project team, ask questions, and see how community feedback has been integrated into the updated plans.
The Speyside Hydrogen project aims to supply up to 25 tonnes of electrolytic green hydrogen daily, supporting Moray’s iconic whisky distilleries in reducing their carbon emissions.
By replacing fossil fuels with clean hydrogen, the facility is expected to help the whisky industry cut CO2 emissions by 50,000 tonnes per year. This aligns with Scotland’s target for a carbon-neutral whisky industry by 2040 while safeguarding jobs in the sector.
“The valuable input we received from the Moray community during the first phase of our consultation has been instrumental,” said Christina Smitton, Speyside Hydrogen Opportunity Manager at Storegga.
Aerial visualisation of Speyside Hydrogen for second consultation. ©Storegga
“This project will not only generate clean energy but aims to create a lasting positive legacy for the community. In this second phase of consultation, we are committed to demonstrating how we have incorporated community feedback, showcasing the benefits of reduced emissions and the potential employment opportunities, and addressing any concerns.”
Scotland’s whisky industry, which employs 41,000 people and contributes £7.1bn ($9bn) to the UK economy, is a key focus for decarbonisation efforts. The sector emitted over 475,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2022, making the transition to green hydrogen an essential step toward achieving environmental goals.
Earlier this year, Storegga reached a milestone by submitting a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) to Moray Council. The company plans to submit a detailed planning application in January 2025, incorporating feedback from both consultation phases.
