Arbikie Distillery near Montrose could soon ‘go green’ following the announcement of an exciting new partnership.

Hydrogen experts Logan Energy and renewable technology firm Locogen have been granted planning permission for a new wind turbine and electrolyser project at the distillery.

The development will enable Arbikie to power its operations from environmentally sustainable green hydrogen, which is created using renewable electricity from the wind turbine and local water sources.

The project is supported by £3 million in funding from the UK Government’s Green Distilleries competition. The fund aims to help distilleries cut CO2 emissions by one million tonnes, contributing to Scottish and UK net zero targets.

John Stirling, Director at Arbikie Distillery, said: “We are delighted to see this project moving forward with Locogen and Logan Energy.

“We aim to be one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries so being able to use green hydrogen power will be another significant step in our sustainability journey.”

Bill Ireland, CEO of Logan Energy, added: “As demand to switch to net zero technologies continues to grow, this project is a further example of the important role hydrogen can play.

“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting businesses with their net zero ambitions, and especially so in this project as we are helping a Scottish distillery demonstrate real green credentials.”

Recommended

• Global Food Crisis: What is tech’s role in solving it?
• Edinburgh biotech MiAlgae secures £2.3m investment
• AND Digital apprenticeships supporting young Scots into tech

Work is expected to begin on the site at Arbikie later this summer, with the installation of the wind turbine scheduled for November.

Logan Energy said the aim is for the new hydrogen system to be working by next year. Once operational, it will help displace the oil which the distillery currently uses to make steam for the distillation process.

Burning hydrogen does not release any carbon emissions, and therefore the Arbikie project represents a clean fuel alternative to current practices.

Long-term, it is hoped the project will demonstrate the technical feasibility of using hydrogen in distillation and similar processes.

Andy Lyle, CEO of Locogen, commented: “This is a great step forward for Arbikie as we help them demonstrate how distilleries, and the wider process industries, can use new technologies to create cleaner, sustainable businesses.”

Get the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

To subscribe, click here.