Hydrogen Central

UK – Hydrogen to be Added to Britain’s Gas Supply by 2025

hydrogen gas supply uk

UK – Hydrogen to be added to Britain’s gas supply by 2025.

Hydrogen is to be pumped into Britain’s main gas pipeline by 2025 as part of a scramble to ditch fossil fuels and move to net zero.

Between 2% and 5% of the fuel flowing through the country’s transmission network will be hydrogen in two years under plans drawn up by National Gas, which owns the pipelines.

Jon Butterworth, chief executive said:

“On a winter’s day, you’ve got seven times more energy going through the gas network than the electricity network.

“We’ve got to look at ways to decarbonise that, while making sure that industry is still provided for [and] that businesses have the gas they need.”

National Gas, which was sold by National Grid PLC (LSE:NG.) in January, owns the UK’s 4,700-mile-long gas pipeline network, meaning its introduction of hydrogen into the system could play a large part in kickstarting a nationwide shift away from natural gas.

“We’re going to repurpose our system slowly over time into hydrogen, for the areas that can’t be electrified,” Butterworth added.

He previously claimed the UK already had the infrastructure in place to roll out hydrogen in the main gas supply, suggesting depleted North Sea gas fields and offshore wind could play a key part in producing and distributing the fuel.

Hydrogen-ready boilers could become mandatory in new builds from 2026, according to government proposals made in mid-December, while plans to convert gas terminals are also set to begin this decade. 

Burning hydrogen does not produce carbon but it does generate nitrogen oxide (NOx), which some climate campaigners say is even more damaging than CO2 or even methane.

According to National Gas, current household appliances would still work with a 20% hydrogen blend, a figure which many operators are working towards for 2028, suggested Centrica PLC (LSE:CNA) owned British Gas.

Hydrogen production capacity is on course to skyrocket in 2023, GlobalData research showed last week, potentially growing 165% to 4.5mln tons on the back of surging investment.

Highlight:

  • Hydrogen is set to make up between 2% and 5% of the UK’s gas supply by 2025, according to new plans from National Gas

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

Hydrogen to be added to Britain’s gas supply by 2025, February 14, 2023

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