Northern Gas Networks Proposes 107 Miles of Hydrogen Pipelines Across Northern England

Northern Gas Networks has unveiled plans for 107 miles of hydrogen pipelines connecting production, storage and major industrial users across the Humber and Teesside regions.

(P&GJ) — Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has unveiled plans to develop 107 miles of hydrogen pipelines linking hydrogen production and storage facilities with industrial customers across the Humber and Teesside regions of northeast England.

The proposal includes a 39-mile pipeline running from Newton Aycliffe to Skinningrove in Teesside and a 68-mile pipeline extending from Saltend to Ferrybridge in the Humber region. NGN said the infrastructure would combine repurposed and newly constructed pipelines to transport low-carbon hydrogen to manufacturers, power generators and other industrial users.

The projects have been designated as proposed Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and are in the early stages of design, planning and cost assessment. If approved through the Development Consent Order process, construction could begin during the 2030s.

NGN said the hydrogen network is intended to supply industries such as steel, chemicals, brick and glass manufacturing, where electrification of high-temperature industrial processes remains difficult.

"Hydrogen can provide the same heat as natural gas without the emissions, making it a realistic solution for industry to decarbonise while supporting growth and jobs in our industrial heartlands," said Keith Owen, NGN's head of Energy Futures.

The company estimates the combined pipeline projects could generate approximately £1.2 billion in economic value while supporting up to 1,200 jobs across the two industrial regions.

Officials from both Tees Valley and Hull and East Yorkshire said the proposed infrastructure could strengthen regional industrial development and support future investment in low-carbon energy.