During the tour, the minister and her team heard how the facility, which was opened to the public in 2017, was developed to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis, compression, storage and cooling to enable fast fuelling for vehicles, and were given a demonstration of how the site operates.

As well as hearing about the refuelling facility, information was provided on projects being developed and delivered across Aberdeen, including the Hydrogen Hub, a joint venture between the council and bp to develop Scotland’s first hydrogen production and distribution facility, as the city positions itself as a global leader in bringing hydrogen technology to market.

The minister was welcomed by Aberdeen City co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill, Dr Oliver Taylor, chief executive officer of bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited and the team from Norco who manage the facility.

Councillor Yuill said: “I was delighted to welcome Gillian Martin in her new role as energy minister to hear about what Aberdeen City Council have been doing for the last ten years in the hydrogen field and how the council and its partners are delivering the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Action Plan and newly published Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.

“The council’s ambitious hydrogen programme includes a number of world firsts as well as a joint venture with bp to deliver the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub.”

Energy minister Gillian Martin said: “Hydrogen and carbon capture and storage could present Scotland’s greatest industrial opportunity since oil and gas was discovered in the North Sea. These technologies will be vital to a just transition which is fair for everyone. I relish the chance to work with partners in the North East to help make reaching net zero a reality.

“Our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan sets out a very clear vision to capitalise on the enormous rewards that a net zero energy system offers the industry, our economy and our climate. We stand firm in our commitment to support this vision, with financial backing that includes our £500 million Just Transition Fund.

“Additional Scottish Government funding of £100m will help make Scotland’s hydrogen sector world-leading and a further £80m will support development and use of carbon capture and storage.”