The H2East pipeline would be largely underground and run from Immingham in the Humber to Newark in Nottinghamshire, and form part of the wider east coast hydrogen backbone development Project Union.

It would connect hydrogen production sites in the region with industrial end-users.

Cadent intends to open consultations on the project to hear views on its proposals and planned route.

Project Director, Adam Knight, said, “We will be listening carefully to what businesses and local communities tell us in the coming months. Their views will help shape our proposals, including the details of the route.”

It would mark the first phase of the Project Union pipeline network being undertaken by National Gas, Northern Gas Networks, and Cadent.

If built as planned, it could see around 1,500 miles of hydrogen pipelines built across the UK.

The Humber to Nottinghamshire section of the pipeline is anticipated to reach final investment decision within four to five years.

This would address one of the hydrogen sector’s most persistent issues, a lack of dedicated pipelines, which has left many schemes reliant on assumptions rather than firm transportation options. To date, the UK has not revealed how it will regulate the transportation of hydrogen.

It comes after the UK government confirmed more than £500m ($677m) in funding for hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure.

It marked the first major UK funding scheme specifically aimed at hydrogen infrastructure, following long-running calls from industry stakeholders for parity with production support.