An Angus distiller has won planning permission to pioneer world-leading green hydrogen technology in a multi-million pound development of its farm-based business.
Arbikie will use a 250-foot wind turbine to power a hydrogen electrolyser on its site overlooking Lunan Bay.
The renewable energy will heat stills at the award-winning distiller, which has found global success with its gin, vodka and rye whisky since being founded in 2014.
It is led by three brothers of the Stirling family who farm 2,000 acres on the Angus coast between Arbroath and Montrose.
‘Field to bottle’ ethos
John Stirling told Angus councillors the hydrogen project has the potential to transform the distilling industry.
“This is a world first in Angus that is a benefit for way more than just us,” he said.
It will be significant step forward for Arbikie’s ‘field to bottle’ sustainability ethos.
Arbikie won £3 million of government funding in 2021 to develop the scheme.
“The project is highly innovative, the first of its kind anywhere in the world,” he added.
“We are currently dependent on imported oil.
“The burning of oil produces most of our carbon emissions and exposes us to price volatility.”
But the new project will make zero-carbon green hydrogen the distillery’s primary fuel source.
“There is huge replicability across the world and Arbikie will be a leader in that,” added Mr Stirling.
“It can act as a catalyst across the industry.”
How will the technology work?
The application involves land at Drumbertnot, north of the distillery.
The wind turbine will be a maximum of 250 feet to its tip, with a hub height of 150 feet.
A compound adjacent to the existing distillery buildings will house the hydrogen electrolysis plant and cooling equipment, four hydrogen storage silos, and ancillary equipment.
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced via electrolysis using electricity from a renewable source.
The electrolyser uses water to create hydrogen and oxygen.
And the hydrogen is sent to a boiler house to heat the distillery stills.
The planners’ view
Council planning officials backed Arbikie’s application when it went before Angus development standards committee on Tuesday.
And it was unanimously approved by councillors who said it was an “exciting” development for the area.
Consultees including Sepa, the RSPB, Dundee airport and the MoD made no objection to the proposal.
But there were local objections around issues including the scale of the turbine.
Planning official Alan Hunter told councillors it was considered an acceptable renewables development.
“It is a substantial structure with a significant impact on the visual amenity,” he said.
“But one I would suggest is not unacceptable having regard to other decisions that the council has taken for similar developments elsewhere in Angus.
“Our policies are generally supportive of renewable energy developments where impacts can be minimised.”
Arbikie’s green credentials already include creating the world’s first climate-positive gin, made from peas.
And a new visitor centre is one of the latest developments at the distillery, which employs 36 people.
Councillors’ support
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said: “This is absolutely amazing for Angus.
“A world first for Angus is the wow factor for me.”
Committee colleague Lloyd Melville added: “I am very much in favour of more renewable energy infrastructure.
“I must commend the ambition of Arbikie distillery to be a Scotland-leading industry.”
