The planned distribution network is expected to connect hydrogen production in the Humber and north Nottinghamshire to major industrial users in the East Midlands.

Cadent’s latest route announcement includes HyMarnham Power’s 15MW facility, located at a former coal-fired power station. Due online in November, the project will receive revenue subsidies under the government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 scheme.

The gas distribution network operator said the proposed 140km purpose-built pipeline offers potential for “significant growth” in hydrogen production at the JG Pears-GeoPura joint project.

“The site has the capability to grow at scale from a 15MW hydrogen production plant to over 900MW production, subject to further investment,” Cadent’s statement said.

“The transportation of hydrogen via the Cadent pipeline is a key route to distribute a resilient, low-carbon hydrogen supply at a significant scale to the hydrogen customers and enable industrial decarbonisation across the region.”

Cadent has secured £42m ($56m) from Ofgem to move the project into detailed design, planning, and consenting.

ECHP Project Director at Cadent, Adam Knight, called the progression to engineering “vital” to the UK’s overall decarbonisation efforts.

“This pipeline will be a vital piece of national infrastructure to make that possible,” he added.

“We’re continuing to work closely with industrial users, hydrogen producers and local stakeholders to ensure this project supports both economic growth and the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.”

Cadent estimates potential CO2 savings of up to 600,000 tonnes per year once the pipeline is operational.