Scotland’s taxpayers face £54m bill for ‘failing’ hydrogen bus and boiler schemes.

It comes after the collapse of a hydrogen bus agreement in Aberdeen, spearheaded by Tory contributor Jo Bamford, the son of JCB billionaire Lord Bamford.

Experts warn that taxpayers in Scotland will face a price of more than £54 million for “failing” hydrogen-powered bus and housing plans.

It comes after the collapse of a plan for hydrogen buses in Aberdeen last month, spearheaded by Tory contributor Jo Bamford, son of JCB millionaire Lord Bamford.

The proposal for 25 buses, which received multi-million-pound funding from the UK and Scottish governments, has been abandoned in favour of cheaper electric cars. It comes after a similar proposal in Dundee was halted in 2022.

Meanwhile, a two-year study of hydrogen boilers in Methil homes, led by SGN and known as H100 Fife, has cost taxpayers £25 million, despite fears that it may fail.

According to experts, intensive lobbying by fossil fuel interests has prompted successive governments to pour public funds into hydrogen projects.

Professor Tom Baxter of Strathclyde University stated, “The power of vested interest lobbying has seduced policymakers into incorrectly thinking of hydrogen as a natural route to net zero.”

“One of my major frustrations has been politicians’ gullibility. Despite my harsh criticism of Aberdeen, I believe they did so with the greatest of intentions.

“They were hearing about how they would use the same talents they had obtained in the North Sea sectors. It’s a sector that shares many characteristics with natural gas.
He went on to say, “Before the public purse is used for this stuff, proper independent due diligence should be done on it.” Is this good value for money?

Has it produced a plausible outcome that may benefit UK or Scottish taxpayers? That appears to have been missing.

SNP ministers earlier announced plans to invest £100 million in hydrogen projects as part of their efforts to address the climate catastrophe. The Scottish Government said in 2020 that it has set aside £40 million for hydrogen buses, other heavy vehicles, and refuelling.

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