The project, at Creed Lodge, was so important that the Comhairle should 'tell the world about it', members of the Sustainable Development Committee were told.

The point was made as the Committee was discussing the possibility of siting a Hebridean Hydrogen Project gas production plant at the Creed Park environmental centre site near Stornoway and for it to generate the electricity to produce the Hydrogen.

A report said that when fully operational, the Creed Park environmental centre was planned to generate a net output of 1100 MWh per annum.

Members were told that the Hydrogen Energy Innovation Zone Project, sponsored by the Comhairle, aimed to establish a Hydrogen infrastructure and local skills base. Part of the project would involve producing Hydrogen via electrolysis, a process that requires electrical power.

"As no export connection is currently available to the national grid for the waste plant, the Comhairle would be required to reduce its generating output during night hours or find an alternative use for the electricity.

"By siting the Hydrogen Project Phase 2 equipment on the Creed Park site, it would be possible to maximise income from the electricity generated and, in addition, the Hydrogen Project would gain the unique status of being the first project in the world to generate Hydrogen from biodigester electricity on this scale," said the report.

Members were told that Scottish and Southern Electricity had placed a temporary ban on all new connections to the Western Isles electricity grid until they could undertake a full network survey to establish grid capacity.

It was pointed out that the Creed Park environmental centre would consume a significant quantity of electricity during normal operations (plant, machinery, heating, lighting).

"Outwith these normal hours we would be required to reduce generating capacity to avoid export of electricity to the national grid or find an alternative use for the excess power," said the report.

"The Comhairle will receive income from Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for each kilowatt of power generated and used. It is therefore in the Comhairle's interest to maximise generating capacity and therefore income from ROCs," added the report.

Phase 2, which is scheduled to begin in October, will include Hydrogen production and storage infrastructure with cylinder and vehicle refuelling facilities; Hydrogen vehicle and fuel cell demonstration projects; Hydrogen PR and marketing material; and Hydrogen training for the emergency services.

The report went on: "At present, the recently opened Hydrogen Lab at Lews Castle College relies on hydrogen imported from Holland. In Phase 2 of the project, an electrolyser is to be purchased to produce Hydrogen on the islands. An electrolyser produces Hydrogen by splitting water into its constituent elements — Hydrogen and Oxygen. To do this, it requires an affordable supply of electrical power."

Members were told that there is ample space available at Creed Park to site the equipment and a potential night time surplus of generation capacity.

"Producing hydrogen from electricity produced by biodigestor gas on this scale would be a world first. This unique facet would add further credence to the already ground-breaking Hebridean Hydrogen Project, and may prove to be beneficial when the project attempts to attract additional private and public support," added the report.

Chairman Archie Campbell said that he and other councillors had visited the hydrogen project at Lews Castle College that day and were very impressed.

Vice Convener Angus Campbell said there was much enthusiasm for the project, and he hoped the Comhairle would remain focused on the issue.

"I think we have some very good people working on this. I hope everybody will be behind it," he added.

Members agreed in principle to the siting of equipment for the Hydrogen Project Phase 2 at the Creed Park site.

They also agreed in principle that the Creed Park environmental centre supply electricity to the Hydrogen project.

Members recommended that the Comhairle authorise the Director of Technical Services to seek tenders for consultants to assist in further development of the Hebridean Hydrogen Park project.