HYDROGEN technology could have an impact as big as North Sea oil and gas did in the 1970s a leading figure in the energy industry has claimed.

Ian Marchant – former CEO of Perth-based SSE and the current chair of Thames Water – was speaking as Logan Energy announced that he and two others were joining their board.

Incoming chair Marchant will be joined by non-executive directors Bob MacDonald, ex-CEO of specialist technical solutions at Wood, and Derek Mathieson, formerly the chief marketing and technology officer at Baker Hughes.

Logan said the appointments bolstered its executive team ahead of increased international expansion. Their new chair has more than 30 years of experience with firms at the forefront of the private utility, power generation and clean energy markets.

“I have felt for some time that hydrogen has the potential to be one of the transforming technologies of the 21st century and its deployment will be key to achieving a net zero carbon society as soon as possible, particularly in the fields of transport and urban heat,” said Marchant.

“This will require expertise in developing and deploying technologies and projects that are transformational at local, regional and international levels.

“Logan Energy has the track record, knowledge, and know-how to lead these initiatives.

“It is exciting to get involved in an established business that’s part of a growing industry and I believe that hydrogen can have as big an impact as North Sea Oil and Gas had in the 1970s or the wind industry had in the early 2000s. I look forward to playing my part.”

Most recently, MacDonald led the consultancy division of multinational engineering business Wood.

Looking towards the future of the global energy mix, he said: “The speed of change in the hydrogen market is massive and will continue to grow exponentially as we decarbonise our industries and services in line with net zero objectives.

“Logan Energy has been in this market for quarter of a century and are now an exemplar within the energy transition sector with a proven track record for delivering cutting-edge projects and solutions in the low carbon and hydrogen sectors both in the UK and Europe.

“The business finds itself at a pivotal moment and has ambitions to build on this success internationally.”

Mathieson has more than 25 years of energy supply chain experience, and a reputation for delivering success. He said: “Logan Energy has been blazing a trail for nearly three decades, kick-starting some of the UK’s first connected hydrogen ecosystems which are thriving today.

“Supporting the delivery of innovative projects like North Wales’ first ever hydrogen hub and the green hydrogen Belfast Bus Project underlines Logan Energy’s unrivalled experience within the sector.

“I believe that the company is extremely well positioned for growth and that there is a critical opportunity to create a UK powerhouse within the green hydrogen sector.”

Logan Energy, CEO Bill Ireland, added, said: “These appointments represent a significant reinforcement of our executive team across a breadth of sectors and specialisms.”