HyNet North West hydrogen and CO2 pipelines

Pre-feasibility design work and planning work for a pioneering hydrogen project that will put the UK at the forefront of net zero innovation. At WSP, we’ve advised gas distribution company Cadent as they lead this energy transition project through its lifecycle and to provide a new way to power the UK’s industry and communities.

Location

United Kingdom

Client

Cadent

Project Status

In-Planning

Zero-carbon industrial clusters are at the heart of the UK’s target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These will be powered by hydrogen and have their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions captured, used and stored from carbon capture and storage (CCS). WSP is working as an advisor on the HyNet project, part of the North West Cluster.

Tonnes of CO2 reduction per year, the equivalent of taking 4 million cars off the road

10m

HyNet North West will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the region by a quarter

25%

Jobs could be created by the project in North West

6,000

How will the HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline work?

HyNet will tackle the challenges of eliminating CO2 emissions from industry, domestic heat and transport. WSP has worked on the two distinct pieces of infrastructure required –initial high level design of a low-carbon hydrogen transportation and storage network, and a CO2 pipeline to transport captured carbon dioxide.

The hydrogen pipeline network, being developed by Cadent will stretch across the North West of England when complete. This will supply energy-intensive industrial gas users with flexible power generation.

A carbon capture project led by ENI UK will capture up to 95% of emissions from industrial processes. CO2 emissions from the HyNet cluster will be piped to safe and permanent storage in depleted gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay, reusing the related infrastructure from gas extraction. WSP is advising ENI UK on the CO2 pipeline.

Delivering an initial pre-feasibility outline design

Working for Progressive Energy WSP completed the initial pre-feasibility outline design for the hydrogen pipeline network in 2021. The network will be centred on the Stanlow Refinery at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, with a possible extension to stretch from North East Wales to Manchester and north of Liverpool.

Hydrogen is a crucial element of clean energy supply in the UK and we need to embrace all opportunities to make the most of its potential to change the way we generate, distribute and consume energy.

Ben Clarke Deputy Head of Industry, WSP in the UK

Ben Clarke Deputy Head of Industry, WSP in the UK

A first of its kind planning application in the UK planning system

The nature and scale of the hydrogen networks means it is defined as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008. In England, NSIPs require a special type of planning permission called a Development Consent Order (DCO).

Wood Environment & Infrastructure (E&I) were appointed in October 2021 by Cadent to deliver the DCO application for the hydrogen network, WSP subsequently acquired Wood E&I in the summer of 2022. The original team is now part of WSP infrastructure planning and consents team and continues to work with Cadent on the DCO application. Submission is expected in 2024.

Securing community support for development as part of the DCO

A key part of infrastructure planning in consultation and stakeholder engagement. The statutory and non-statutory consultations also required an innovative approach, and WSP, with its partners, supported stakeholder engagement on the hydrogen pipeline.

Our approach focused on communicating the benefits to communities utilizing both digital and in-person activity to ensure accessibility. This included highlighting the benefits of carbon reduction and job creation.

Together we create… new ways to power communities

There is no net zero without an energy transition – and that transition must happen at scale and pace. Discover how WSP and our partners leading the way.