New collaboration opportunities at the second SHINe industry board meeting

27 July 2025 | 3 minute read

Last month saw stakeholders from across the Scottish hydrogen sector once again come together to identify how to realise Scotland’s potential as an international hydrogen hub. 

SHINe’s industry board consists of a range of companies based in Scotland. Board members are keen to engage with innovators that can help to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy supply. 

Key takeaways from the latest meeting

A large discussion point at the second industry board meeting was the recent UK Government spending review, and what this means for the hydrogen sector. 

Board members discussed the opportunities afforded by greater investment in the sector announced at the fiscal event. This included £500 million for hydrogen infrastructure and the welcome news that the Government has given the go ahead to progress new Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HAR). 

It was great to see our Board members shortlisted for HAR2 project funding. Examples include two Scottish Power projects, which will support the production of green hydrogen in Irvine and central Scotland. 

Andy Goodwin from Scottish Power, SHINe’s newest member, provided an insightful presentation diving into their shortlisted HAR2 projects and what comes next for the energy company.

Government funding will allow Scottish Power to install new electrolyser capacity to produce green hydrogen, and to expand their auxiliary equipment. Andy gave a broad overview of the status or the projects, which will provide a reliable low carbon hydrogen supply to several Scottish industries. 

Hayleigh Barnett from the Net Zero Technology Centre also joined us in the meeting. Hayleigh provided a summary of its Innovation Priorities 2025-2035 reportopens in a new window, which called for greater collaboration across the industry to accelerate progress towards net zero. The report noted that technology will be key to nationwide decarbonisation, with a special focus on five critical technology areas. These include:

• Offshore renewables and grid infrastructure
• Industrial decarbonisation
• Hydrogen and alternative fuels
• Carbon capture and storage
• Harnessing digital capabilities

Specific to the hydrogen sector, Hayleigh asked for feedback from attendees on the report’s four hydrogen priorities, including, making, moving, and storing of hydrogen and other alternative fuels. 

The meeting also discussed how the latest news from the Government has provided much-needed certainty for the hydrogen sector. Members discussed the strong Scottish projects shortlisted under the HAR2 scheme, and next steps for projects not shortlisted in this round.

However, attendees also noted the lack of clarity over the allocation of new hydrogen infrastructure funding. 

SHINe joint collaboration event

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss how SHINe can foster greater collaboration between members and innovators at co-creation events. 

Industry board members discussed an in-person meeting to co-create new project ideas and diversify the Scottish hydrogen industry. Members suggested that their companies could host this event on site. This would provide innovators with a first-hand look at the facilities available to help advance new hydrogen initiatives.

A joint collaboration event, developed by the SHINe team, would provide attendees with challenge scenarios, and enable both SHINe capability members and innovators to collaborate on how to best address those challenges.

SHINe Industry Board

At the session, where James joined speakers from Innovate UK and the Energy Technology Partnership, he also highlighted the importance of SHINe’s Industry Board.

The Industry Board brings together companies from across the Scottish hydrogen value chain and provides an opportunity to discuss the innovations needed to grow the sector. 

James provided valuable insights into the Industry Board’s thoughts about commercial readiness for hydrogen. The presentation touched on hydrogen technologies that will be commercially ready in both the near-term and mid-long term.

This also included a timeline of when different hydrogen innovations are likely to become commercially ready, identifying areas where collaboration is key.

How to get involved

We're looking for additional members who can help add to our impressive collection of innovation assets and hydrogen development capabilities. 

If you have any hydrogen innovations that you believe will help to address the opportunities and challenges to hydrogen infrastructure development, contact us to be at the forefront of Scotland’s hydrogen industry.