A proposed green hydrogen plant in Marypark, Moray, backed by a £3.1 million Scottish Government grant and promising 100 new jobs, has sparked a groundswell of local opposition amid concerns it could damage a “region of natural beauty” and threaten the River Spey’s delicate ecosystem.
The plant, led by developer Storegga, would be the first of its kind in Moray and is designed to supply green hydrogen to the region’s famed whisky distilleries. The facility is expected to produce 25 tonnes of green hydrogen per day, supporting the decarbonisation of more than 40 industrial sites and potentially saving 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Storegga CEO Tim Stedman said:
“Storegga is thrilled to be leading the development of the green hydrogen hub in Speyside, a project that marks a crucial step in Scotland’s energy transition. We are deeply grateful to the Scottish Government for their support which is instrumental in bringing this vision to life. We are committed to engaging with the local community through ongoing public consultations, ensuring that this project benefits both the region and its residents.”
Acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin added:
“This Scottish Government funding will support the construction of a new hub in Speyside, creating job opportunities for 100 people in the local area. The hub will also support decarbonisation of Scotland’s iconic whisky industry by creating clean energy and heat used for distilling and fuel for transportation.”
Environmental and Community Concerns
Despite the economic and environmental promises, the project has drawn over 160 formal objections from residents and local groups. Critics fear the plant’s 24-hour operation and its extraction of up to 500,000 litres of water per day from the River Spey could lower water levels, harm aquatic life, and disrupt the region’s vital fishing and tourism industries.
One local objector pleaded with the developer to “leave our beautiful countryside alone,” while others warned of a “knock-on effect” on tourism and the risk of the A95 road becoming a “bottleneck” due to an estimated 70 HGV tanker movements per day.
Jim Mackie, a member of the Innes Community Council and lifelong Spey angler, said:
“All the calculations on the river flow are averages, they are not looking at the critical times when there are low water levels during the summer. [The borehole] will impact the water levels on the Spey. There are a lot more possible environmental impacts that the developers, SEPA and the council appear to be ignoring.”
While objections dominate, a handful of supporters have described the project as “vital” for the local economy and whisky industry. One supporter acknowledged it was a “thorny issue” but said, “Morayshire needs investment, job creation and economic growth.”
Storegga has stated that the plant’s impact on river water quality would be less than 0.1% and “not considered to be significant,” and Scottish Water has confirmed it has no objection to the proposal.
Storegga is currently consulting with the community and Moray Council, with further public events planned before a final decision is made. If approved, the plant could be operational as early as next year.
