Glenfarclas Distillery objects to Storegga plans for hydrogen plant in Speyside despite firm’s claim it will benefit Moray whisky industry
Plans to build a hydrogen plant in the heart of a scenic community are being opposed by a distillery despite claims the facility will benefit it.
Storegga, which describes itself as a “leading independent developer of low carbon solutions”, submitted a planning application to Moray Council in March to develop a green hydrogen plant next to Marypark in Speyside.
If consented, the facility is expected to be operational around the clock and will produce an average of 25 tonnes of green hydrogen per day.
It will get the vast majority of its water needed for the plant from a borehole connected to the River Spey.
The firm claims the facility will benefit the local whisky industry by playing a “pivotal role” in reducing the carbon footprint of distilleries.
A letter submitted by a contributor backing the project went as far as describing the plant as “vital” to the region’s distilleries.
But Glenfarclas, the closest distillery to the proposed site, has formally objected to the plans.
The near two-century old distillery says it is not opposing hydrogen but rather the proposed site for the plant.
Distillery manager Callum Fraser told The Northern Scot: “We’re not against green energy and looking after the environment but what we are against is where this is being situated because it’s absolutely crazy.
“Right now we’ve cut back production because we have a lack of water.
“But the hydrogen plant is going to take the best part of 600,000 litres from the river a day which they claim will be taken out the water table.
“Historically, we’ve always been short of water in the dry season and the dry seasons are getting longer nowadays.
“It’s actually quite scary to think that people are going down into water tables to take all this water out every day.”
The distillery is not alone in its opposition with the planning application receiving over 160 objections since it was submitted.
Concerns include an increase in lorries on the A95, the potential to ruin the scenic beauty of the area, the impact on protected species as well as concerns regarding light and noise pollution.
One objector pleaded with the developer to “leave our beautiful countryside alone”.
Another, Thomas Gough (80), who has lived in Marypark for 40 years, said the plant would be an “unmitigated disaster”.
Mr Gough, a scientist with a PhD in chemistry, says that the use of hydrogen is “inefficient” as it contains less energy than the energy used to produce it.
He added: “It has been likened to flushing the toilet with champagne.”
Storegga, which has an office in Aberdeen, says the plant will create “up to 30 full time positions” once the site is operational.
It says that it will help the industry reduce its CO₂ emissions which in turn will safeguard jobs.
Christina Smitton, Speyside Hydrogen opportunity manager, said in March that the firm would continue to work closely with the community, stakeholders and Moray Council as plans develop.
But Glenfarclas says many of its concerns have not been addressed.
Mr Fraser said: “We store upwards of 100,000 casks on site and if there was some sort of major explosion or problem there, would it cause us a problem?
“It’s going to be a COMAH site which is basically a site that holds over a certain tonnage of flammable liquid or goods.
“We’re also a COMAH site so if there was a disaster on one of these two sites would it affect the other? Could it spread?
“We’ve been quite peacefully making whisky here since 1836 and we’ve never had any issues but when we’re dealing with gas and hydrogen gas it’s a slightly different game.
“I have asked them these questions and they can’t give me answers.”
Fears that the A95 could become an “accident black spot” have also been expressed with around 70 HGVs expected to arrive and leave the site every day with tankers of hydrogen.
“The extra traffic on the road carrying highly explosive gas is just crazy,“ Mr Fraser added.
“On a stretch of road where speeding is fairly common as it is especially on weekends.
“It’s just an accident blackspot waiting to happen .
“It’s going to have no benefit to the local community and it’s absolutely frightening the damage it could do.
“It’s going to be absolute madness.”
The planning application is still under review with Moray Council.
If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2026.
