£13m awarded to “pioneering” sustainability projects in North East Scotland

Scientists at James Hutton Institute, the independent research organisation, have been awarded over £13m from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition fund to establish two “pioneering” action-based research science projects in the North East of Scotland.

HydroGlen and the Just Transition Hub will focus on providing sustainable solutions to Scotland’s future food, environmental and water security concerns.

HydroGlen is a green hydrogen-powered farming community pilot based at the Institute’s research farm at Glensaugh in Aberdeenshire. Through the development of renewable-generated electricity, HydroGlen seeks to support the energy needs of both the farm and its community of seven associated households.

It will provide a scalable and replicable concept for farming and other rural communities to demonstrate how to become self-reliant, net-zero carbon energy producers and exporters. HydroGlen will demonstrate how 100 per cent of the community’s electricity, heating and transport fuel energy requirements can be self-generated renewably.

The Just Transition Hub will be based at the Institute’s campus in Aberdeen. This will see collaboration with a range of stakeholders to develop nature-based, net-zero solutions for issues such as community renewable energy development, flood management, sustainable groundwater access, biodiversity enhancement and peatland restoration.

A new building will combine virtual and physical space, which will act as an incubator for ‘spin out’ companies drawing on the Institute’s science to develop new products and services. It will also offer in-person and on-line scientific, institutional and business events and a public café.

The Just Transition Hub is expected to create over 200 jobs and bring in £1.6m annually to the regional economy.

Professor Colin Campbell, CEO of the James Hutton Institute, commented: “Given that around 45 per cent of people in the North East live in rural areas, the potential of HydroGlen to accelerate the decarbonisation of rural energy and transport is large.

“The Just Transition Hub will be an open and inclusive facility which will work with a range of partners on creating new products, new jobs and encouraging investment. These are tremendous examples of our action-based science and will create real impact for our society.”

HydroGlen will submit planning permission imminently, with construction expected to commence in 2024. The Just Transitions Hub will see a feasibility study in 2022 and planning permission for the new build will be submitted in 2023 with construction predicted to begin in 2025.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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