What’s the Problem?
As the UK transitions towards net zero, a collaborative effort to decarbonise energy demands is required. Previous analysis showed a significant amount homes and businesses across Great Britain could benefit from a supply of hydrogen by being situated near to clusters of industrial users.
Whilst the study’s findings were of great value, no work has taken place to explore how any conversions could be completed, or what the cost and wider impact would be for communities.
Preferred Output
Northern Gas Networks (NGN) want to understand how hydrogen could be best used to support the energy transition for communities surrounding industrial clusters. They want to conduct a research project which considers technical, economic and social impacts.
Based on previous research and subsequent stakeholder engagement within the industry, NGN would like the project to address the following key questions:
- What’s the estimated potential hydrogen supply and estimated potential hydrogen demand from industrial sites and businesses within major clusters (Teesside, Humber, Merseyside, South Wales, North Wales, Grangemouth, Southampton)? Under what conditions could domestic demand be included, considering demand from other sectors, plus the demand that different domestic technologies present (boilers, hybrid heating, gas heat pumps etc)?
- How would the hydrogen-converted areas co-exist with the other gases (ie biomethane/natural gas) locally and in the wider GB gas system in 2050?
a. Which configuration would be most beneficial, eg separate overlapping networks transporting different gases, or one single network with one specific gas for each zone/cluster, or blended gases?
b. What are the impacts on security of supply, costs and operation of an isolated local network?
c. How would network maintenance need to adjust to account for different gases and/or networks in the same zone/cluster?
- What are the costs and practicalities of converting local networks to hydrogen in industrial clusters?
- How could hydrogen contribute to a just and equitable transition of industrial clusters, including potential benefits for local jobs and communities?
Deadline
The deadline for this opportunity is 15 January 2026. Please submit your proposal above.
Q&A Registration
The Q&A session for this opportunity will take place on 16 December 2025 at 11am. You can register to attend by clicking the button at the top of the page, or directly below. Please pre-submit any questions by 5pm on 12 December 2025 to ensure the smooth running of the meeting.