Under consideration PE2159: Halt the production of hydrogen from freshwater

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to place a moratorium on the production of hydrogen from freshwater until scientific studies are undertaken to understand the impact on the environment, local economies and society.

Background information

Green hydrogen is touted as a replacement for fossil fuels. Hydrogen production requires extreme and unsustainable volumes of fresh water. Borehole water is seen as a source. Manufacturing takes 25 to 40 litres of desalinated or freshwater to produce 1kg of hydrogen. 1kg of hydrogen will power a class 1 or 2 Large Goods Vehicle for 6 miles. One plant under development plans to use 500,000 litres of water per day to produce 12,800kg of hydrogen. Similar plants are proposed/under development. Water will be extracted from a very wide geographical area depending on ground conditions and regional rainfall. Water is a major element of life and is in short supply in many areas. The volumes to be extracted will adversely impact the countryside, local industries, agriculture, fishing, and households, and possibly affect flooding. Extracting water will cause serious adverse impacts on aquatic life.

Responses to my enquiries show little knowledge of the volume of water used and I have seen no scientific studies to identify possible adverse consequences.

  • Created by David Mackay on behalf of Innes Community Council
  • Considered from 6 May 2025
  • Petitions can collect signatures until the petition has been closed

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