The project includes the construction, operation and maintenance of around 100 kilometers of new pipeline, safely distributing low carbon hydrogen, primarily produced by EET Hydrogen at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex near Ellesmere Port, to various industrial offtakers across the North West. It 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.
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. The company also welcomes comments on its newly-published Draft Environmental Statement.
The HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline will be the UK's first 100 per cent 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.
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.
“This latest design includes changes made thanks to community feedback gathered from both previous stages of consultation and has also been informed by further technical and environmental work” said Rob Donovan, Project Director, Cadent's HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline. “We encourage local communities and authorities, as well as industry partners to share their views on these more detailed plans, to help us further develop our designs ahead of submitting our application for consent. The feedback we receive is crucial to ensuring the success of our proposals. “This project is key to decarbonizing the North West and helping to reach Net Zero, in addition to creating more green jobs and industry in the region.”
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