Wales & West Utilities (WWU) announced two projects which aim to expand the H₂ economy in the southwest of England. The Southwest Conceptual Plan (SWCP) and Decentralized Alliance for Southwest H₂ (DASH) will together consider what infrastructure the region needs and the potential of using H₂ as a cleaner, greener fuel for industry, to help meet decarbonization targets.

Both projects will explore the potential for H₂ development and usage and consider how the network’s existing extensive infrastructure can be harnessed to deliver a low-carbon network for industry, complementing the Wales & West Utilities existing 19 biomethane sites which already provide decarbonized gas in the southwest.

SWCP will develop options for a local H₂ transmission system, based on a map of production and demand. It will consider existing gas users and the potential for new users, for example in maritime and aviation industries. The plan will also explore how WWU’s existing natural gas network can be repurposed, including the costs and benefits of such proposals, as well as the regulatory implications.

DASH will consider the south west’s relatively dispersed industrial demands, which do not form a natural ‘cluster’ as seen in other areas of higher industrial concentration. It will also take a closer look at the potential for onshore and offshore renewables and explore the viability of more radically decentralized H₂ infrastructure, based on intermittent renewable generation. WWU expects the learning from both projects to contribute to local, regional and national energy planning.

Matt Hindle, Head of Net Zero & Sustainability, said, “Across the southwest, people rely on the gas network today for safe, reliable and cost-effective energy and that includes thousands of industrial customers and tens of thousands of other commercial businesses. We need for find low carbon solutions for all energy users, along with homes and power generation, and H₂ has a big role to play

“We’re delighted to announce the SWCP and DASH, which together look at how we can develop the H₂ economy in the southwest of England, to meet decarbonization challenges in areas such as industry and transport.

“Helping industry to cut emissions is a critical part of the energy transition, ensuring we protect our communities and the economy.”

Both projects will be used to develop opportunities to inform future H₂ projects, use learning from previous and ongoing projects and complement WWU’s work with biomethane producers.

Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5 MM people across the southwest of England and Wales. It has 19 green gas production sites injecting biomethane to its southwest network, one of the UK’s leading regions for the technology.

The gas distribution network recently launched the next phase of its NextGen Electrolysis project, which will see one of two H₂ demonstration plants built in Somerset. Partnering with dairy giant, Yeo Valley, their 60-acre site in Cannington will introduce a 20% H₂ blend into their existing natural gas boiler. This aligns with the UK Government’s considerations of blending up to 20% H₂ into the existing gas network as a near-term solution for decarbonizing energy.