In a response to a report from its Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, the Scottish Government yesterday recommitted to publishing its Hydrogen Policy Statement and action plan ‘later this year’, saying said it expects to see hydrogen projects come forward from its Energy Transition Fund initiative.
It has also revealed plans to work with the Scottish Energy Advisory Board to identify ‘Green Business Champions’ to work with the government on generating consensus across the business community on green recovery plans and investment.
JCB heir, and last year acquired Wrightbus, a UK manufacturer who have made the world’s first hydrogen double decker bus, has praised the Scottish Government’s “global leadership”. Mr Bamford, who plans to introduce a fleet of 3,000 state-of-the-art buses across the UK by 2024, believes Scotland will have a key part to play in the global hydrogen sector.
“The Scottish Government has shown strong, global leadership on hydrogen, and it is great to see the renewal of this commitment and ambition in its response to the Advisory Group on the Economic Recovery report” said Mr Bamford. “Without doubt, taking steps to unlock Scotland’s hydrogen economy will create new jobs today and many more over future years. Later this year, Wrightbus will introduce a fleet of world-first hydrogen double decker buses in Aberdeen, and Ryse Hydrogen have plans to build green hydrogen production facilities in Aberdeen and Glasgow. It is essential that strong partnerships exist between the Government, local authorities and business to unlock investments like these, so we also welcome the Scottish Government’s plans to establish ‘Green Business Champions’.”
In Mr Bamford’s vision, 3,000 hydrogen buses - about 10 per cent of the UK’s total fleet - could be silently moving around UK towns and cities by 2024. The vehicles will release only water vapour and save an estimated 280,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually - the equivalent of taking roughly 107,000 cars off the road a year.
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