The world’s first hydrogen economy could be created on the island of Unst in the Shetlands. The proposal has been put forward by Tony Marmont of Beacon Energy as means of creating a new industry following the decision to close the RAF Saxa Vord early warning station with the loss of up to 50 jobs.

According to Marmont the idea is to replace the jobs by a new venture generating large quantities of hydrogen that can be used in the local community and sold to the mainland or further afield.

Marmont says Unst, the UK’s northernmost island with a population of 700 is perfectly placed for such a development. Wind power can be used to separate hydrogen from water to power electricity generators and provide fuel for the island’s vehicles. Any spare capacity could be used to liquify the hydrogen for export by ship.”

Unst is currently home to the world’s first community owned facility producing hydrogen directly from wind power, known as the PURE Project, providing employment to four Shetland engineering graduates.

A decision on whether or not the project goes ahead will depend on the outcome of a meeting with the armed forces minister Adam Ingram which will include the request for financial support to develop the scheme.

Source

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