Protium, a leading UK green hydrogen business, is launching its second operational facility in South Wales this month, has acquired the 15MW Cromarty Hydrogen Project – Scotland’s most advanced clean energy project – from Storegga and is further expanding its production across the UK. The move brings a proven model for energy security, industrial decarbonisation and green-collar jobs to the Highlands.
While much of the UK green hydrogen sector remains in the planning phase, Protium has spent the last three years building, commissioning and commercially operating hydrogen facilities. That track record, culminating in the imminent ribbon-cutting of its 2.5MW Pioneer 2 facility in South Wales on 30 June 2026, is a blueprint of what it is now being planned for to Scotland, at scale
This acquisition represents a defining moment for UK energy security and the domestic hydrogen economy. By transitioning the project to Protium, an organisation with a proven “boots on the ground” operational record, Cromarty evolves from a development concept into a live project with a clear, already demonstrated blueprint.
Protium’s credibility on Cromarty is not theoretical. This can be evidenced concretely by Protium’s operating facilities in South Wales and Dorset.
- South Coast Hydrogen Facility (Dorset): Operated in partnership with Canford Renewable Energy (CRE), adding more than 350kg of green hydrogen production per day (over 120 tonnes annually) to Protium’s network.
- Pioneer 1: Operational since 2023 and has delivered 4,000kg commercially to date.
- Pioneer 2: Opening on the 30th June 2026. At 2.5MW capacity, 25 x the scale of Pioneer 1 and abates 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually, the equivalent of removing 2,200 cars from the UK’s roads every year
Pioneer 2 is not a stepping stone. It is a proven template – designed, financed, and constructed using a 100% green hydrogen-powered plant, that Protium is preparing to replicate and scale in the Scottish Highlands. Cromarty, at 15MW, represents the next logical step in a progression already well underway.
“Protium’s delivery of Pioneer 1 and now Pioneer 2, demonstrates clearly to the market that green hydrogen is moving past powerpoints and into delivery. With the final commissioning of Pioneer 2 Protium has become one of the only companies in the world to develop, self EPC and operate multiple green hydrogen plants. This provides a uniquely credible capability base for taking projects such as Cromarty HAR1 and taking them from concept to commercial operations – and in doing so, unlocking the full potential of the green hydrogen economy.” says Christopher Jackson, CEO of Protium.
Protium operates as a full-service entity, managing the entire value chain from production to its own transport fleet. In the Scottish Highlands, this means Highland renewable wealth empowers local distilleries and logistics directly, rather than being diverted to external markets. Protium’s commitments to the Cromarty community include:
- Approximately 30 permanent, high-skilled ‘green-collar’ roles, supported by funded local vocational training and apprenticeships offering long-term career pathways within the Highlands.
- High-efficiency production technology designed so that hydrogen output does not compete with local domestic or agricultural water supply, even during peak summer months.
- An integrated transport fleet operating in partnership with experienced local hauliers, under strict safety protocols and optimised routing to minimise traffic impact.
- A ‘smart demand-side’ approach to grid use, absorbing excess renewable generation during peaks and supporting grid stability – enhancing Highland grid resilience and avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades.
- Full transparency on site outputs, including low-decibel operations and a rigorous waste management strategy protecting the local environment.
Protium is currently in the initial stages of providing supplementary information to the Highland Council to support the planning application, and is establishing a dialogue with local Community Councils, with community engagement sessions to be scheduled in the coming months.
Image of Protium’s Pioneer 2, 2.5 MW Green Hydrogen Facility, South Wales
ABOUT PROTIUM
Protium is one of the UK’s leading green hydrogen companies. We make green hydrogen simple for customers by providing end-to-end solutions that help businesses decarbonise reliably, affordably, and safely, replacing fossil fuels across various sectors—including construction, manufacturing, industrial, and transport.
By pioneering the scale-up and adoption of green hydrogen and its derivatives in the UK, Protium delivers practical hydrogen solutions that work today. Our capabilities span production, distribution, and on-site deployment, supported by expert guidance from technical services to commercial development to enable a confident transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Protium has scaled its national portfolio to operate an interconnected network consisting of three production sites and four distribution hubs. This strategic operational footprint includes the flagship Pioneer 2 facility in Wales, the South Coast Hydrogen hub in Dorset, a significant project acquisition pipeline in Scotland, and major hub projects in South Teesside.
Read more https://protium.green/ and follow us on LinkedIn for updates!
ABOUT STOREGGA
Storegga is a leading independent, UK-based decarbonisation development business. It develops early-stage carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen projects in the UK and internationally to contribute to achieving Net Zero targets. Storegga is the lead developer of the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage and Hydrogen Project in North-East Scotland, providing essential infrastructure to help the UK meet its climate goals. The company is backed by a global consortium of strategic investors including GIC, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., M&G Investments, Macquarie Group, ADNOC, and Snam.
For interviews, site visit requests, images or further information, contact: [email protected]. Chris Jackson (CEO) is available for an interview upon request.
Source: https://protium.green/protium-cromarty-15mw-green-hydrogen-scottish-project/
