SCOTLAND is set for a "world-first" after a spirits producer announced plans to build a pioneering green hydrogen-powered distillery.
Arbikie Distillery has just received planning permission to construct a 1MW wind turbine on its farm at Lunan Bay, near Montrose.
The Angus company is aiming to be one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries.
The turbine will export its generation to a green hydrogen hub at the distillery comprising an electrolyser, compressor and storage.
Green hydrogen will be created by the electrolyser and the stored hydrogen will be used by a burner and boiler to create steam to deliver the heat for distillation.
Arbikie, which makes Highland Rye, the first rye Scotch Whisky for almost 200 years, is a field-to-bottle distiller that grows all the ingredients needed to distil their spirits on their farms.
It comes after the firm launched the world’s only "climate-positive gin", Nadar, in 2020, with a carbon footprint of -1.54 kg CO2e per 700ml bottle.
John Stirling, co-owner of Arbikie Distillery, said: “This has the potential to transform the distilling industry.
"We are delighted to be working with energy experts, 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 on our sustainability journey.”
Bill Ireland, CEO of Logan Energy, said: “As demand to switch to net-zero technologies continues to grow, this project is a good example of the important role hydrogen can play.
"We’re incredibly proud to be supporting Arbikie in their net zero ambitions”.
Andy Lyle, CEO of Locogen, said: “This is a great step forward for Arbikie as we help them demonstrate how distilleries can use new technologies to create cleaner, sustainable businesses.”
