With support from Guidehouse and Pemtech, Cadent and National Grid set to work with key regional stakeholders to shape the study and ensure it support industry needs to tackle decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy transport, as well as residential heating.
H2 View understands, stakeholders have been identified, and potential supply and demand figures have been assessed in order to define key regional hotspots. Additionally, the potential infrastructure for hydrogen transportation around the regions has been analysed, based largely on existing natural gas pipelines that could be converted to use hydrogen.
Next, the companies will create a transition roadmap, highlighting any socioeconomic benefits of hydrogen for the regions, and its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Cadent and National Grid have they plan to launch the findings of the study in March (2023) and establish next steps to bring hydrogen to industry in the West Midland and East of England.
Helen Boyle, Head of Regional Development for North West and West Midland at Cadent, said the study was a “watershed” moment for the UK hydrogen economy, highlighting the regions covered landlocked areas miles from where large-scale hydrogen production is planned.”
In 2021, Cadent said it wanted to deliver the UK’s first 100% hydrogen pipeline by 2027, enable 5GW of hydrogen production, and more as part of its hydrogen 10-point plan.
Boyle added, “It is therefore key that we undertake this study to better understand how hydrogen could be produced locally as well as transported from future hydrogen production centres across the UK for local consumption. Collaborating with key stakeholders at this stage is vital to ensure the study is shaped with their needs in mind and we support making Net Zero goals a reality at a local, regional and national level.”
Danielle Stewart, Hydrogen Programme Manager at National Grid Gas Transmission, commented, “By undertaking this feasibility study, we can explore how to maximise our existing UK infrastructure to benefit the consumer through low-cost, widespread access to hydrogen – delivering the Net Zero energy system of the future while boosting local economies.”
Cadent and National Grid’s plans have seemingly gained support from local authorities in the two regions. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said he was pleased to support the study to better understand what a hydrogen future could mean for the region.
Dr. Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough also welcomed seeing how the plans develop in the East of England.