Suntory Global Spirits has officially cancelled its £60 million (USD 76 million) plan to build a green hydrogen facility at the Auchentoshan Distillery in Dalmuir, Scotland. The decision follows the project’s unsuccessful bid for public support through the UK government's Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2), managed by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
Developed in partnership with Marubeni Europower, the so-called HyClyde Auchentoshan Project aimed to transform the distillery’s operations by using green hydrogen generated via electrolysis from renewable energy. The initiative was part of the broader WhiskHy programme, partially funded through the UK’s Green Distilleries Competition, and aligned with the government’s goal of achieving 10 gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030.
Initially announced in August 2024, the project would have made Auchentoshan one of the first whisky distilleries globally to run on hydrogen. It followed a successful 100% hydrogen-fueled trial earlier that year at the company’s Yamazaki Distillery in Japan. However, despite its technical promise, the Scottish initiative failed to gain traction locally.
Community opposition played a significant role in the project's demise. During public consultation events, residents expressed safety concerns over the use of hydrogen, referencing historical incidents like the Hindenburg disaster, and worried about potential health risks and declining property values. A petition opposing the project collected over 360 signatures in less than a week.
Though disappointed, both Suntory and Marubeni reaffirmed their commitment to sustainability. Suntory reiterated its dedication to achieving net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040 under its Proof Positive agenda. Marubeni stated it will continue to explore opportunities in renewable energy and decarbonisation efforts in the UK.
In parallel sustainability efforts, Suntory also launched a new company named Water Escape in Ashiya City, Japan, earlier this year. This venture supports the group’s 2030 Water Commitments, focusing on education and improved water-use efficiency with suppliers.
The scrapping of the Auchentoshan hydrogen initiative illustrates the difficulties in scaling green hydrogen projects, even as the UK places the fuel at the centre of its net zero ambitions.
