Hydrogen Industry

First Minister’s Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 19 September 2024.

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Photo of Kevin Stewart Kevin Stewart Scottish National Party

As the First Minister knows, I played a part in helping to establish the Aberdeen hydrogen project, so I am very pleased this week to hear of £7 million of Scottish Government funding to kick-start green hydrogen projects in Scotland. What more can we do to support the industry and make it thrive? Would it not be better if we had all the economic levers of power to drive forward our net zero agenda?

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

I agree with Kevin Stewart, and I very much welcome the initiative that he took to encourage the development of the green hydrogen project in the north-east of Scotland, which is a significant economic opportunity. I want to ensure that Scotland is able to realise the benefits of our enormous energy generation potential. The Government’s focus on the development of renewable energy—offshore wind resources in particular—will help develop the hydrogen sector, which will contribute to the strengthening of Scotland’s economic wellbeing.

I expect to discuss many of those issues at the Scottish energy advisory board meeting that I will co-chair tomorrow to take forward many of those developments.