Michael Matheson

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on what progress has been made by SGN and National Grid to understand the role that hydrogen can play in meeting its heat decarbonisation targets, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish Government officials are engaging with National Grid on the Project Union initiative exploring the phased repurposing of the UK’s natural gas National Transmission System (NTS) to create a UK hydrogen backbone carrying 100% hydrogen. Decisions on the…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the UK Government regarding ensuring that Scotland's export interests are embedded in policy, trade and regulatory planning, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has ongoing engagement with the UK Government in relation to international hydrogen engagement and the development of the export opportunity. We engage under the auspices of the UK-Germany Joint Declaration of Intent on Hydrogen, sign…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the £90 million Green Hydrogen Fund to support hydrogen pathfinder projects up to 2025-26, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan. 

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is clear that hydrogen has a key part to play as a renewable and low carbon source of energy to help meet our net zero ambitions. We remain committed to delivering the strategic approach and actions required to support the development …

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made with electricity and gas network operators to realise system benefits of hydrogen, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Scotland’s huge potential for renewable electricity generation, and hydrogen’s utility, means that it can also act as a vector for energy storage and a balancing service to the electricity grid. It can additionally act as a vector for transportation, particul…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in building the evidence base and support for international cooperation on the development of infrastructure, transport routes and international supply chains in relation to hydrogen projects, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government continues to build a strong evidence base in relation to the development of key infrastructure, transport routes and supply chains necessary to develop hydrogen export opportunities. We are engaging with key European ports such as the…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is (a) strengthening existing relationships and (b) developing new bilateral partnerships in relation to the potential of hydrogen, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We are continuously working to strengthen and develop new relationships through our international hydrogen engagement programme. Given the increased interest in hydrogen imports from across Europe, we continue to work with the UK Government to establish key …

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in driving technological progress and advancing innovation in Scotland through its Hydrogen Innovation Scheme, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Hydrogen Innovation Scheme (HIS) aims to support the development and demonstration of renewable hydrogen technologies and products needed to support our ambition of 5GW installed hydrogen production capacity by 2030. The HIS targets support for innovation…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its ambition for onshore and offshore wind development in Scotland supporting 5GW of hydrogen by 2030, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The deployment of green hydrogen production will develop alongside the growth of onshore and offshore wind and the availability of constrained renewable electricity from existing wind farms. Over fifty hydrogen production projects are at varying stages of de…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is supporting the Scottish Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Cluster to produce low carbon hydrogen at scale, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the development of the Acorn project and the Scottish Cluster, which are essential for the production of low carbon hydrogen at scale. I attended the Inter-Ministerial Group in February and sit on the UK CCUS…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on funding for a Hydrogen Business Development service, delivered through the Energy Technology Partnership, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is funding the Hydrogen Business Development service, delivered through the Energy Technology Partnership, to accelerate knowledge exchange between academia and enterprises to stimulate innovation in the hydrogen sector. The ETP Hydro…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26883 by Gillian Martin on 30 April 2024, whether it will publish the recommendations of the Transmission Network Short Life Working Group.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The recommendations of the Transmission Network Short Life Working Group will soon be published on the Scottish Government website, alongside detail of the programme of work associated with the actions previously accepted by Scottish Ministers.

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is engaging with the UK Government to expedite progress on amending regulations and legislation to (a) support hydrogen blending and (b) accelerate decisions on the role of 100% hydrogen in the gas grid, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: In December 2023, UK Ministers confirmed their positive strategic policy decision to support blending of up to 20% hydrogen into GB gas distribution networks. We welcomed this announcement and now continue to urge UK Government to make progress and provide a …

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to ensure that (a) regulatory, (b) planning and (c) consenting framework for renewable developments supports the scale-up of hydrogen at pace, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government continues to work with the Scottish Regulatory Steering Group, comprised of key regulators, to assess regulatory requirements for the development of the hydrogen sector in Scotland. We are working with UK and Scottish regulators to ens…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working collaboratively with the transport sector to drive down the cost of hydrogen in transport applications and encourage uptake of both hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: As set out in our Hydrogen Action Plan, hydrogen in the transport sector could act as a complementary energy source alongside electrification, providing an option to parts of the transport sector such as heavy-duty vehicles, when full electrification is chall…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is supporting the development of Regional Hydrogen Hubs where production is coupled with multiple end use applications and helping to stimulate demand, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: There are several Regional Hydrogen Hubs developing in Scotland. We have provided up to £15m to support the development of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub which is now developing as a joint venture between Aberdeen City Council and Bp. Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub presen…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made in helping to facilitate the roll-out of the infrastructure needed for hydrogen vehicles to operate in Scotland, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: As set out in our Hydrogen Action Plan, hydrogen in the transport sector could act as a complementary energy source alongside electrification, providing an option to parts of the transport sector such as heavy-duty vehicles, when full electrification is chall…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in supporting a growing Scottish skills base in hydrogen for transport, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is working with many partners to develop Scotland’s skills base in hydrogen for transport. These include working with the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) on the Hydrogen Skills Project (HSP). HSP Automotive and Hydrogen Training Netwo…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in working with industry and partners to establish the skills to underpin Scotland's energy transition, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Our forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will set out a series of measures the Scottish Government will take to support new and existing workers take advantage of the job opportunities of the net zero transition, and how we will work with indu…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made in making Scotland a global centre of expertise for innovation in hydrogen mobility technologies, collaborating with international partners and growing Scotland's hydrogen mobility manufacturing base, as set out in its Hydrog…

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has worked with agencies and other partners, including internationally, to deliver initiatives in support of the development of zero emission mobility technology. These include funding the University of St Andrews to deliver, in partne…

16 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26518 by Gillian Martin on 15 April 2024, whether it will detail the proposals and timeline for the delivery of the recommendations of the Transmission Network Short Life Working Group.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Work is ongoing from all partners in the group to prepare a suitable programme and allocate the necessary resources to take forward the recommendations and actions, as accepted by the Scottish Ministers. Once finalised, the programme of work will be reported …

16 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering any further legislation to tackle street litter.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Yes, our Circular Economy Bill proposes modifications to the Environmental Protection Act 1990, implementing new legislative powers to tackle littering from vehicles. These will allow authorised officers to impose a civil penalty charge on the keeper of a veh…

27 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further steps it is taking to ensure that bus operators improve the (a) punctuality and (b) reliability of services for bus users.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The responsibility for licensing and regulating operators of public service vehicles (PSVs) and local bus services sits with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. It is for their office to take action against a vehicle operator, bus service operator or driv…

27 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further steps it will take to help mediate the reportedly ongoing industrial dispute in the college sector regarding pay and conditions.

Answer · Graeme Dey: It is the responsibility of the college unions and employers to negotiate pay, terms and conditions, not the Scottish Government. While the Scottish Government respects the right of trade unions to take industrial action, we remain concerned about the potent…

26 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to engage with the UK Government regarding any implications for Scottish social security payments to women in Scotland of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on changes to the state pension age, affecting women born in the 1950s, which states that those aff…

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The First Minister wrote to the UK Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on 18 April to make the Scottish Government’s position clear, the UK Government must respond in a timely manner to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s recommendati…

26 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider implementing national regulations for electric vehicle charging tariffs for (a) pence per kilowatt hour and (b) overstay fees that are applied by local authorities and other public bodies through ChargePlace Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government do not currently have any plans to introduce national regulations for electric vehicle (EV) charging. In November 2023 UK-wide regulations were implemented to improve consumer experience of public charging. This includes improving …

26 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered amending the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 to include local resilience structures for MSPs in their constituencies or regions, including notifications and communications with all relevant partners.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 is the legislation which identifies categorised responders, and their duty to prepare for civil emergencies within Scotland. The CC…

26 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further support it can provide to the bus building industry in Scotland to help it compete in a global market.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Enterprise has supported companies in the bus manufacturing supply chain, awarding Alexander Dennis Limited with funding to develop their zero emission bus technology including £13m in 2023 in addition to substantial grants in 2019 and 2015. In addi…

26 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding support for the bus building industry in Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has not had any specific engagement with the UK Government recently on the bus building industry in particular. The Scottish Government is, however, actively engaged with UK Government on manufacturing opportunities across a number of…

26 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide specialist planning advice and guidance, in partnership with local authorities and electricity transmission networks, in order to meet its net zero targets through infrastructure projects.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the planning system is better equipped to deal with current and future challenges, and supports our net zero ambitions. Work is underway to deliver the commitments from the O…

26 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider any further planning or regulatory assistance that could be put in place for the electricity transmission networks in Scotland in relation to infrastructure projects.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Transmission Owners in Scotland have worked with Scottish Government officials to consider the challenges around the consenting of major grid developments through a short life working group established in October 2022. The group made multiple recommendations …