National Gas, Centrica, Equinor and SSE Thermal have launched a coordinated bid to develop Great Britain’s first regional hydrogen transport and storage network in the Humber.
Together as Humber Hydrogen, the partners are looking to develop a network that would connect projects across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, including locations such as Aldbrough, Easington, Saltend, Immingham and Keadby, to link hydrogen production with industrial customers and power stations.
The network includes the Humber Hydrogen Pipeline and Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage, which will submit proposals under the UK Government’s Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model processes, set to determine where the UK’s first integrated hydrogen network will be built.
The funding decision, expected to be worth around £500 million (around €585 million), would establish the infrastructure that will underpin large-scale hydrogen deployment in the UK.
According to the partners, the proposed infrastructure would also support industrial decarbonization in the Humber by enabling fuel switching in energy-intensive but hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy manufacturing, chemicals, steel and power generation, in addition to supporting production of high-value products such as ammonia and the creation of a sustainable aviation fuel industry.
“We believe the Humber is the obvious choice to be the home of Britain’s first hydrogen network. Nowhere else in Britain can match what it offers in industrial demand, infrastructure, supply chains, geological storage and skilled people who can unlock Britain’s clean power potential. Together with our partners we’re bringing our expertise in transporting, manufacturing and storing hydrogen to keep the industrial heart of Northeast England beating,” said Ian Radley , Chief Commercial Officer at National Gas.
Several large-scale hydrogen projects are proposed in the Humber, including H2H Easington and H2H Saltend hydrogen production plants, and Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage.
“Backing plans to deliver hydrogen infrastructure in the Humber in 2026 would be a game-changing decision from Government which would support the transformation of the region’s economy and enhance our critical role in providing energy security for the UK,” said Richard Gwilliam , Chair of the Humber Energy Board.
“This proposal, an essential part of long-held plans to create a low-carbon industrial cluster, is backed by experienced energy and infrastructure companies that are prepared to invest billions in the region, creating jobs and economic growth for decades to come. Now is the time for the Government to unlock the region’s potential and re-energise the Humber.”