The project, near the Cromarty Firth, is designed to decarbonise Highland industries, including whiskey distilling and transport, while supporting local jobs and introducing a new community benefit fund tied to production capacity. 

Christopher Jackson, CEO of Protium, said: “We are proud to become the custodians of the Cromarty project. Our focus is energy certainty. By localising production, we ensure that the Highlands’ world-class industry and transport sectors aren’t just surviving the Net Zero transition, they are leading it.”

Protium already operates the UK’s first and largest commercial green hydrogen plant, Pioneer 1, in Wales, with its second facility capable of delivering 1 tonne of clean fuel per day. Cromarty will see approx 2,000 tonnes per annum production. 

With offices in London, Port Talbot and Edinburgh, the green hydrogen company is committed to creating high-skilled jobs and apprenticeships within the Highlands Council and beyond. An estimated 30 jobs will be created by phase 1 of the Cromarty project alone.  

Protium views itself as a long-term partner in the Highlands economy and is committed to an open dialogue with local communities, ensuring insights and feedback inform how the 15MW electrolyser plans are designed and delivered.