East Coast Hydrogen Project Receives £96m Funding for Pipeline Network Expansion
Key Ideas
  • The East Coast Hydrogen project, receiving £96m in funding, aims to create a hydrogen pipeline network across the North East, Yorkshire, Humber, and into the East Midlands over the next 15 years.
  • Funding from Ofgem will be used for engineering, planning, and public consultation, with the project expected to move into a delivery phase this year and hydrogen flows targeted to start from the early 2030s.
  • The project involves a consortium of 120 organizations and is seen as a crucial step in building the infrastructure needed to unlock the UK’s hydrogen economy at scale, contributing to the country's energy transition and job creation.
  • Partners involved, such as National Gas, Northern Gas Networks, and Cadent, emphasize the importance of the project in supporting industry, protecting jobs, and helping achieve national ambitions for growth and net zero emissions.
The East Coast Hydrogen project, a partnership between National Gas, Northern Gas Networks, and Cadent, has secured £96m in funding from Ofgem to create a hydrogen pipeline network across regions in the UK. This initiative aims to connect planned hydrogen production and storage with industrial users over the next 15 years, starting from Teesside and the Humber region. The project will repurpose existing gas pipelines and build new capacity to facilitate the transition of East Coast industries away from natural gas. The funding from Ofgem will be allocated towards engineering, planning, and public consultation activities, with the project expected to enter a delivery phase in the current year. Hydrogen flows are targeted to commence in the early 2030s as part of efforts to support the UK's hydrogen economy at scale. The project involves a consortium of 120 member organizations, encompassing hydrogen producers, power generators, storage suppliers, and users like airports and hospitals. Key figures from the partnering organizations have expressed optimism about the project. National Gas CEO Jon Butterworth highlighted the importance of building necessary infrastructure for a low-carbon energy system. Cadent CEO Steve Fraser emphasized the significance of the project in advancing the UK's energy transition and job creation, while Northern Gas Networks CEO Mark Horsley underscored the project's role in supporting regional economies and industries towards meeting net zero targets. The East Coast Hydrogen project aligns with the UK government's plans for regional hydrogen transport and storage networks, providing essential infrastructure for decarbonization efforts and green job creation. This initiative represents a significant step towards achieving national ambitions for growth and sustainability, while also contributing to the global transition towards a low-carbon future.
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