UK Hydrogen Pipeline Network Gets Green Light for Next Phase
(P&GJ) – One of the United Kingdom’s most ambitious hydrogen infrastructure initiatives received a major boost on June 20, as East Coast Hydrogen secured $130 million (£96 million) in funding from energy regulator Ofgem to advance its next phase.
The project, led by National Gas, Cadent, and Northern Gas Networks, will repurpose and construct gas pipelines to distribute low-carbon hydrogen across northeast England, the Humber region, Yorkshire, and the East Midlands. The infrastructure is designed to replace natural gas in heavy industry and power generation with hydrogen, aiming to protect jobs and support the UK’s clean energy future.
The newly confirmed funding will support engineering design, planning, and public consultation. It follows the UK government’s broader $635 million (£500 million) commitment to regional hydrogen transportation and storage infrastructure, announced during the Spending Review.
National Gas CEO Jon Butterworth said the funding is a “crucial step” in enabling large-scale hydrogen deployment.
“At National Gas, we’re committed to enabling the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system that is secure, cost-effective, and future-ready,” he said. “Project Union, our plan to create a 1,500-mile core hydrogen network across Great Britain, will start in the East Coast and this funding will support that ambition.”
Cadent CEO Steve Fraser echoed the importance of the project for the wider UK energy transition.
“Ofgem’s support will allow our partnership to forge ahead with the vital planning and engagement work that is needed to fully realize this important project,” Fraser said. “It not only lays the foundations for a new low-carbon network, but it will also protect jobs, support industry, and help deliver national growth through green skills and employment.”
Northern Gas Networks CEO Mark Horsley emphasized the importance of planning and technical work to ensure timely project deployment.
“This funding is essential to determining the technical work needed to build hydrogen infrastructure, in order to understand how a hydrogen network can be operational in time to meet government net zero plans,” he said.
The East Coast Hydrogen partnership involves more than 120 organizations, including hydrogen producers, utilities, airports, and hospitals. Hydrogen deliveries are expected to begin in the early 2030s.
Darren Hall, Raw Materials Buyer at Verallia UK, said the network will help make glass packaging more sustainable:
“We see the East Coast Hydrogen network playing a critical role in supporting our decarbonization plans and ensuring glass remains a sustainable packaging choice.”
Related News
Related News
- Kinder Morgan Proposes 290-Mile Gas Pipeline Expansion Spanning Three States
- Enbridge Plans 86-Mile Pipeline Expansion, Bringing 850 Workers to Northern B.C.
- Intensity, Rainbow Energy to Build 344-Mile Gas Pipeline Across North Dakota
- Tallgrass to Build New Permian-to-Rockies Pipeline, Targets 2028 Startup with 2.4 Bcf Capacity
- U.S. Moves to Block Enterprise Products’ Exports to China Over Security Risk
- U.S. Pipeline Expansion to Add 99 Bcf/d, Mostly for LNG Export, Report Finds
- A Systematic Approach To Ensuring Pipeline Integrity
- 275-Mile Texas-to-Oklahoma Gas Pipeline Enters Open Season
- TC Energy’s North Baja Pipeline Expansion Brings Mexico Closer to LNG Exports
- Consumers Energy Begins 135-Mile Michigan Gas Pipeline Upgrade, Taps 600 Workers
Comments