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.
Delivering Clean Growth
Key fact
HyNet aims to be the UK’s first net-zero carbon industrial cluster.
Establishing at least one low-carbon cluster by 2030, and the world’s first net-zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040 is a key mission in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. HyNet is ready to meet these goals and create a low-carbon exemplar cluster which can act as a UK model for clean growth. Find out more about the Industrial Clusters Mission here.
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
2018-23
Phase 1
Building the evidence
- Technical, cost and practical evidence to inform government heat and carbon capture policy.
- CCUS infrastructure created for industrial CO2.
- Customer experience of blended hydrogen through related HyDeploy project.
2023-26
Phase 2
Project delivery
- Hydrogen infrastructure in place.
- Supply high hydrogen to industry.
- Supply blended hydrogen and natural gas to homes.
- CCUS infrastructure operational.
- Over 1 million tonnes CO2 savings every year.
2027-2035
Phase 3
Extension
- Hydrogen supply extended to wider geography and for flexible power and transport.
- Realise opportunities for lower cost H2 and ‘negative emissions’ via bio-energy with CCUS.
- Hydrogen transport fuelling network in place.
- Potential for over 25 million tonnes per annum CO2 savings.
2035-2050
2050 Vision
- Other UK areas operating on HyNet model alongside multiple decarbonisation solutions.
- 100m tonnes per annum CO2 savings.
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.
