Funded through Ofgem’s Net Zero and Re-opener Development fund leading into the Net Zero Pre-construction and Small Projects Re-opener, we have progressed our pioneering East Coast Hydrogen project into its next phase.

The aim of the overall project is to develop a 100% hydrogen network capable of supporting the decarbonisation of industrial customers across the UK’s east coast.

Now in the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage, we are building on earlier feasibility work by focusing on developing a technical and commercial solution that meets users’ needs and is economically viable.

The region is home to a high concentration of energy-intensive industries, many of which cannot electrify their processes and are actively seeking alternative energy solutions to help them decarbonise. While hydrogen production is developing in key clusters, not all industrial users currently have access to this infrastructure.

This phase of the project aims to address that challenge by developing a technically robust, commercially viable and beneficial network design, to ensure that hydrogen can be delivered reliably to the businesses that need it.

Creating a network that connects dispersed industrial users is a critical step in supporting industrial decarbonisation, safeguarding UK industry and enabling progress toward net zero.

Our FEED study has so far focused on:

• Engaging with industry to inform design and delivery
• Developing engineering designs for pipelines and above-ground installations
• Refining network routing to connect key industrial users
• Advancing planning and consenting strategies
• Assessing commercial models and overall project viability.

These activities will provide the level of detail required to move the project toward investment and construction, ensuring it is both deliverable and aligned with the needs of industry across the area.

We will continue conducting more of this work over the next 12 months, before informing the public about the project, finalising submissions to Ofgem and preparing for potential delivery, including further design refinement and decision-making on implementation.