The Return of the Dutch-German Green Energy Mission to Scotland
Photo credit: Martijn Heemstra, for Mission organiser, Hansa Green Tours
The week of the 9th of June 2025, SPEERI’s Energy Technology Partnership hosted the return of the Dutch-German Green Energy Mission to Scotland, mainly from the Dutch Province of Groningen, with partners from the State of Bremen. The visit showcased the energy transition research and innovation already taking place in Scotland, including at a number of our partner universities.
This mission followed on from last year’s joint Green Hydrogen mission from Northern Germany and Netherlands, when ETP welcomed the Hy-5 Initiative (Green Hydrogen Initiative from 5 Provinces in Northern Germany), and the Province of Groningen in The Netherlands, to a series of events and engagements around the All-Energy Conference in Glasgow. As part of that visit, ETP hosted a networking dinner and facilitated an engagement workshop to kick-start cross-sectoral collaborations with the green hydrogen sector.
Some of the delegates, from the previous 17-strong delegation from 2024, returned this year with a delegation of 50. They were keen to build upon the connections they had previously made, and also undertake a tour of Green Energy sites and facilities around Scotland, highlighted during the May, 2024 visit. Green hydrogen initiatives were a high priority, within the wider renewable energy sphere, as well as identifying opportunities for joined-up approaches to energy transition re-skilling, education and training programmes.
Of particular importance was the opportunity to visit the Isles of Orkney, which is leading the way on integration of green hydrogen within a renewable energy system. Their visit kicked-off at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), and the delegation also networked with ETP academics from Heriot-Watt University, University of the Highlands and Islands, and Robert Gordon University, and representatives from HIE and Orkney Islands Council.
From Orkney they flew to Aberdeen, and spent the following day visiting the National Decommissioning Centre, Robert Gordon University, the Energy Transition Zone, and the Net Zero Technology Centre. The Lord Provost welcomed the Dutch Commissioner to the King, Dutch and German State Ministers and Mayors, along with the rest of the cross-sectoral delegation, at a farewell dinner hosted at the Aberdeen Town House.
On the way to Edinburgh, the delegation stopped for a tour of Scotland’s first Green Hydrogen Distillery, Arbikie, who later put on a whiskey-tasting session at the Hydrogen Scotland’s Terrace Garden networking event, in Edinburgh. In Edinburgh, they took a tour of the Scottish Parliament, and met with Scottish MSP Angus Roberston (the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture), who was also a guest for a thank you dinner, hosted by the Green Energy Mission, at Edinburgh Castle.
Photo credit: Martijn Heemstra, for Mission organiser, Hansa Green Tours
On the final day of their trip, the delegation travelled to Glasgow, where half of the group heard about energy research projects at the University of Glasgow, and visited their Hydrogen Innovation Centre and Energy Lab. The rest of the group took a tour of the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS) Digital Process Manufacturing Centre and learnt about the other University of Strathclyde facilities in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), such as the PNDC’s Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre which will have a new Hydrogen testing facility. SPEERI also showcased the breadth of expertise and facilities of our member universities across Scotland.
Photo credit: Martijn Heemstra, for Mission organiser, Hansa Green Tours
The whistle-stop tour culminated with a buffet networking event at Heriot-Watt University, where the delegation learnt about their Global Research centres for net zero and industrial decarbonisation. They were also shown a hydrogen-powered boat students are entering for a green boat-race in Monaco!
Our Business Development Manager for Hydrogen, Natasha Madeira, worked with SDI and the Scottish Government to support the organisation of the mission, on behalf of SPEERI’s Energy Technology Partnership. Here is what she had to say about the experience:
“It was a delight to be a part of the Groningen & Bremen Green Energy Mission, and especially to welcome back some familiar faces. The fact that last year’s delegation sparked so much interest and enthusiasm to return to Scotland, is a testament to the warm welcome given by both our SPEERI member universities and the wider green energy sector. There have already been joint initiatives and follow-on collaborations, however, the challenge will be how to take forward the huge potential for more joint initiatives. Now that our multi-regional partnerships are established, at a political level, the next steps will explore the routes towards concrete partnerships between industry, academia, skills-development and education.”
Photo credit: Martijn Heemstra, for Mission organiser, Hansa Green Tours
