Just months after acquiring the project, UK hydrogen supplier Protium has secured planning permission for the 15MW Cromarty Green Hydrogen plant in Scotland.
The Highland Council granted permission for the plant near Inverness, paving the way for Protium to target a final investment decision before the end of 2026.
Protium acquired the project in May from carbon capture firm Storegga, after its co-developer Scottish Power backed out of the development.
The project will retain the hydrogen production contract awarded under the UK’s first Hydrogen Allocation Round despite the change in ownership.
Hydrogen produced by the plant is expected to be supplied to regional industrial heat and power customers. The company has not yet announced firm offtake agreements.
In June, Protium partnered with electrolyser maker ITM Power to jointly develop and operate the Cromarty project, as well as other developments across the UK.
Under the partnership, Protium will lead power procurement, permitting, downstream infrastructure, and hydrogen distribution.
“This planning approval is a huge vote of confidence in our approach,” said Kim McCann, Chief Commercial Officer at Protium.
The approval also comes as Protium seeks to revive Storegga’s wider Scottish hydrogen portfolio. Alongside Cromarty, the company inherited the troubled 70MW Speyside project in Moray, which had faced unanimous planning rejection by Moray Council last October.
The Speyside plans had faced concerns over its water use from the River Spey and increased traffic. Protium is reviewing the plant with the intention of addressing environmental and biodiversity concerns.
