HyNet North West is a hydrogen energy and Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) project. The goal of HyNet is to reduce carbon emissions from industry, homes and transport and support economic growth in the North West of England.
Summary
HyNet North West is a significant clean growth opportunity for the UK. It is a low cost, deliverable project which meets the major challenges of reducing carbon emissions from industry, domestic heat and transport.
HyNet is based on the production of hydrogen from natural gas. It includes the development of a new hydrogen pipeline; and the creation of the UK’s first CCUS infrastructure. CCUS is a vital technology to achieve the widespread emissions savings needed to meet the 2050 carbon reduction targets.
Accelerating the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies and CCUS through HyNet positions the UK strongly for skills export in a global low carbon economy.
The North West is ideally placed to lead HyNet. The region has a history of bold innovation, and today, clean energy initiatives are thriving. On a practical level, the concentration of industry, existing technical skill base and unique geology means the region offers an unparalleled opportunity for a project of this kind.
The new infrastructure built by HyNet is readily extendable beyond the initial project, and provides a replicable model for similar programmes across the UK.
Key fact
HyNet saves over one million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year. The equivalent of taking more than 600,000 cars off the road
Timeline
2018-22
Building the evidence
- Technical, cost and practical evidence to inform heat and CCUS policy.
- Customer experience of hydrogen as energy in their homes.
- UK skills base for hydrogen and CCUS begins to develop.
2023-26
Project delivery
- Over 1 million tonnes CO2 savings every year.
- UK’s first operational CCUS infrastructure.
- Decarbonisation of domestic heat takes significant step forward and customer acceptability for hydrogen established.
- Design and construction creates over 5,000 jobs and significant investment in the NW.
- Skills hub for hydrogen and CCUS firmly established.
2027-2035
Wider decarbonisation
- Over 25 million tonnes per annum CO2 savings.
- Initial CCUS project extended to facilitate further heat and power decarbonisation.
- Hydrogen network accepts fuel from other sources, supporting further deployment of renewables.
- Investment in hydrogen transport sets the scene for the UK to take the global lead in hydrogen vehicles and refuelling equipment.
- Skills hub for hydrogen and CCUS for national and international knowledge sharing.
- Other UK projects begin operation based on HyNet model.
2035-2050
UK wide clean growth
- 100m tonnes per annum CO2 savings.
- £31bn estimated Gross Value Added for the UK (£17bn in North West).
- Hydrogen supply from both natural gas and renewables.
- Use of HyNet approach to support decarbonisation across all four Cadent regions.
- UK becomes centre of expertise in global low carbon economy.
Supporting Companies
Supporting companies include global companies and brands across many sectors; from chemicals, glass and oil refining to food, paper and automotive. These organisations are supportive of the development of a low carbon hydrogen production and distribution network in the North West and are currently engaging with Cadent to explore the use of hydrogen.
