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Port of Leith shows off world’s first green hydrogen demonstrator
[ March 13, 2025 // Chris Lewis ]Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport, together with project partners Forth Ports, Targe Towing, Logan Energy, PlusZero and Waterwhelm, showcased the world’s first green hydrogen shore power demonstrator at the port of Leith in Edinburgh on 13 March.
It uses clean hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when berthed in port.
The project integrates innovative water treatment, waste heat utilisation and hydrogen production to provide clean shore power for maritime operations with large tugs, operated by Targe Towing, now powered by green hydrogen when tied up.
The project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £236m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
The event, attended by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop, and stakeholders from industry and the hydrogen supply chain, delivered a live demonstration of the hydrogen-powered system and sessions on clean energy innovation.
Specialist water treatment technology provided by Waterwhelm makes fresh water from effluent from a nearby wastewater treatment works which is then used to produce green hydrogen in Leith without compromising local water supplies.
Green hydrogen specialist partners Logan Energy and PlusZero bring the clean power solution to the port – a major stride in Scottish hydrogen innovation. Using a process known as electrolysis, East Lothian-based Logan Energy’s electrolyser technology splits the re-use water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is then used as a clean fuel for PlusZero Power’s Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine powered generator which will generate green electricity to provide shore power for the tugboats when they are in port, replacing the need for polluting diesel generators.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “This is a world first for Scotland – a Green Hydrogen Shore Power Demonstrator that uses clean, green hydrogen energy to reduce carbon emissions from vessels when docked in port. It is really encouraging to see the Port of Leith leading the way and putting this kind of technological innovation into action.
“We know that Scotland benefits from a diverse and successful maritime sector that contributes significantly to our economy. What’s been proven here is that innovative use of green hydrogen can help decarbonise ports and shipping and I hope to see this replicated in ports across the UK and beyond.
“Scotland has the potential to be a leading international hydrogen nation, and the Scottish Government is fully committed to helping the Scottish hydrogen sector develop and grow. We are creating a hydrogen economy that will provide economic benefit and a renewable and low carbon source of energy to help meet our net zero ambitions.”
Forth Ports chief executive, Stuart Wallace, added: “This is an exciting green fuel transition initiative for Forth Ports and Targe Towing as we work towards our commitment to reduce carbon emissions across Forth Ports’ group operations to become net zero by 2042. This is the first project of its kind to be demonstrated at a UK port and we are thrilled that Targe Towing has been nominated for the prestigious Tug Innovation of the Year award.”
Tags: Forth Ports Leith