Local communities across the North West in the UK have another opportunity to learn more about Cadent’s plans for a new underground hydrogen pipeline and to influence proposals. A statutory consultation is running from 14 October until 19 November 2024, and will include eight in-person consultation events across the project area, along with two online events.

The Pproject includes the construction, operation and maintenance of around 100km of new pipeline. The pipeline will safely distribute low-carbon hydrogen, primarily produced by EET Hydrogen at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex near Ellesmere Port, to various industrial offtakers across the North West. The project also includes smaller pipelines (spurs) branching off from the main pipeline route to provide connections to specific industrial offtakers in the region. The pipeline will be underground, although nine Hydrogen Above Ground Installations (HAGIs) and two Block Valve Installations (BVIs) will be required along the pipeline route.

HAGIs allow Cadent to control the flow and pressure of the hydrogen and to facilitate inspection and routine maintenance of the pipeline. They will also act as the connection points to the Hydrogen Production Plant, Hydrogen Storage Facility and the spurs to the offtakers. BVIs act as a cut-off point to isolate a section of pipeline for maintenance, repair or safety reasons. These are smaller than HAGI sites, typically measuring around half a hectare.

Cadent is asking people to share feedback on its updated design. This includes the Draft Order Limits, within which the pipeline will be routed, temporary construction areas and potential HAGI / BVI sites. Cadent has also published its Draft Environmental Statement, on which it welcomes comments.

The HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline will be the UK’s first 100% hydrogen pipeline network at scale. It is essential to unlocking the benefits and ambitions of the HyNet North West scheme and achieving the UK’s target of a zero-carbon power system by 2030 and reaching Net Zero. The hydrogen pipeline is central to realizing the benefits of the HyNet North West low carbon hydrogen cluster, including securing existing high-skilled employment in the region and promoting opportunities for new green jobs.

HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline

Cadent first undertook consultation on its proposals at the start of 2022 and held a further consultation in autumn 2022 at which more detailed plans, informed by people’s feedback, and further technical, engineering and environmental work were presented.

In December 2023, the Government made several announcements relating to hydrogen and including the publication of a Hydrogen Transport and Storage Networks Pathway. Cadent’s latest plans take these announcements into consideration. This upcoming consultation will be the third and likely final stage of public engagement before the DCO application for the Project is submitted.

The HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Following this consultation, once the final design has been developed, Cadent will submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero for a DCO (Development Consent Order). It expects to do this in Spring 2025 and for a final decision to be made in 2026.