A Northeast partnership has been granted €9mn of European Union funding to develop a first small hydrogen valley in Scotland to accelerate the move to cleaner energy.
Partners in the project, which is named TH₂ISTLE, met on November 3, 2026, at the University of Aberdeen for an initial meeting. The event allows for collaboration between the international consortium of 28 that is in it, universities, and industry leaders, as well as economic development agencies.
Hydrogen is projected to have an important role when it comes to decarbonizing, especially in hard-to-electrify sectors like agriculture and food and drink production, heavy transport, ports, and manufacturing.
Current and proposed green hydrogen production locations throughout the Northeast will be integrated via an exclusive tube trailer distribution network and strategically located refuelling points, with funding coming from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
The project is intended to explore the role that green hydrogen could play in the broader energy system of the region and the possibilities for the transition to energy. The demonstration projects will offer real instances of the commercial as well as technical applications of hydrogen, provided by a local and European supply chain.
In addition to the roll-out of hydrogen production, distribution, and refueling infrastructure, TH₂ISTLE involves public engagement and skills development as well as knowledge-sharing activities. The project will establish digital tools, such as a regional hydrogen digital twin, and produce evidence to guide future hydrogen valley initiatives throughout Europe.
Notably, Scottish Enterprise is a full project partner, focusing on standard operations to maximize the economic effect, learning as well as replicating the project all over Scotland.
Suzanne Sosna, Director of Energy Transition at Scottish Enterprise, said, “TH₂ISTLE stands out as a first small hydrogen valley in Scotland that will go beyond individual demonstrations to deliver a fully connected network of hydrogen projects. We are pleased to be supporting the region to grow its expertise into new commercial opportunities with proven demand across multiple sectors. With a strong focus on skills and replication, this project will help strengthen and expand Scotland’s collaboration between public and private partners in the green hydrogen market.”
Professor Nick Forsyth, Provost of the University of Aberdeen, remarked, “We are delighted to welcome project partners to the University of Aberdeen for the launch of TH₂ISTLE. Bringing together expertise from academia, industry, and the public sector, the project provides an important opportunity to explore how hydrogen can contribute to the energy transition while supporting sustainable economic growth across Northeast Scotland. Aberdeen has a long track record in hydrogen innovation and deployment, and TH₂ISTLE builds on that foundation by creating new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and regional leadership in the development of low-carbon energy solutions.”
The Project Lead at the University of Aberdeen, Dr. Alfonso Martinez-Felipe, said that “hydrogen can play an important role in the transition to a lower-carbon energy system, particularly in sectors where decarbonization is more challenging. Realizing that potential will require a clear understanding of where hydrogen can deliver the greatest benefits and how it can be integrated effectively into existing industries, but also how it can transform them. Through TH₂ISTLE, researchers at the University of Aberdeen will contribute with digital modelling and simulation expertise, alongside socio-economic analysis, to help assess opportunities, inform decision-making, and support the region as it adapts to a rapidly changing energy landscape.”