Protium, one of the UK’s leading green hydrogen energy companies, has acquired the Cromarty Hydrogen Project and wider Scottish development portfolio from Storegga, strengthening its position as a national platform for industrial-scale green gas production.
The acquisition includes the 15MW Cromarty project, a cornerstone of the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1), administered by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). By integrating this project into its wider national portfolio—which includes operational assets in Wales and developing clusters in South Tees, Protium is cementing its position as a critical delivery partner for Britain’s energy security and Net Zero ambitions.
Proven Operational Excellence & Scalable Impact
Protium stands as a market leader in green hydrogen production, operating at 350 bar to provide customers with superior energy density and a significantly reduced on-site footprint.
Since 2023, Protium has demonstrated the commercial viability of its technology through the Pioneer 1 facility in South Wales. The site has established a robust track record of consistent supply, successfully delivering over 4,000kg of green hydrogen to date and offsetting more than 44,000kg of CO2 emissions.
Design subject to detailed development, technical assessments, and planning approvals.
To meet diverse industrial needs, Protium utilises a sophisticated, multimodal logistics fleet capable of tailoring deliveries to specific customer demand profiles:
- MCP (Multi-Cylinder Packs): For agile, smaller-scale requirements.
- MT (Mini Trailers): For mid-range mobile supply.
- MEGC (Multi-Element Gas Containers): For high-volume industrial demand.
Building on this momentum, Protium’s Pioneer 2 flagship facility (2.5MW) has recently achieved “first gas” and is now in its commissioning phase. Once fully operational in June 2026, Pioneer 2 will scale production to one tonne of low-carbon hydrogen per day, projected to abate approximately 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually, the environmental equivalent of removing 2,200 cars from UK roads every year.
Beyond Wales and Scotland, Protium is also progressing projects in South Tees, supporting industrial decarbonisation within one of the UK’s most strategically important energy and manufacturing clusters. Two further projects were recently shortlisted under DESNZ’s Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2), reinforcing Protium’s track record of delivery and government-backed scale.
Image of Protium’s Pioneer 2, 2.5 MW Green Hydrogen Facility, South Wales
Tim Stedman, CEO Storegga “Over recent years, Storegga has established a strong portfolio of green hydrogen opportunities in Scotland. Our priority has been to ensure these projects move forward under an established developer, with the platform and capability to take them into delivery. Protium’s track record and growing UK presence position them well to advance these projects, and we look forward to seeing their full potential realised to support a more sustainable industrial future in Scotland.”
The acquisition of the Cromarty project comes at a critical juncture for the UK’s energy landscape. As global markets face unprecedented volatility and supply disruptions, the transition to a domestic, self-sufficient energy system has moved from a long-term ambition to a national security priority.
Christopher Jackson, CEO of Protium, said:
“This acquisition materially strengthens our national platform and bolsters UK energy security by anchoring production within our own borders. Protium is building permanent, industrial-scale green hydrogen infrastructure that decarbonises British industry today. With operational assets in Wales, presence in Scotland, and projects advancing in South Tees, we are scaling toward a 1GW UK portfolio to establish a resilient, self-sufficient, and competitive domestic hydrogen economy.“
Commitment to the UK Hydrogen Strategy
The acquisition of the Cromarty project aligns with Protium’s long-term focus on developing a diversified and resilient domestic hydrogen portfolio. By building on the technical foundations established at Pioneer 1 and 2, Protium remains committed to working alongside government and industry partners to support the UK’s evolving energy transition. The company will continue to advance its national pipeline through a phased, delivery-focused approach, ensuring that green hydrogen production plays a stable role in the UK’s industrial future.
About Protium
Protium is a green hydrogen company. Its end-to-end solutions help businesses decarbonise reliably, affordably and safely by replacing fossil fuels across construction, manufacturing, transport and operations.
By pioneering the scale-up and adoption of green hydrogen and its derivatives in the UK, Protium delivers practical hydrogen solutions that work today, spanning 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.
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.
If you would like to find out more about the project or have any questions, please get in touch with us at [email protected]