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Plans unveiled for phase one of UK hydrogen network
25/3/2026
News
National Gas has set out plans for a 300-mile hydrogen pipeline along England’s east coast, the first phase of a national hydrogen network in the UK.
The initial phase of the underground hydrogen transmission pipeline, known as Project Union East Coast, will see a pipeline installed from Teesside through Yorkshire and the Humber and south into the East Midlands.
The pipeline will form the backbone of a clean energy corridor designed to boost regional economies, protect and create jobs, and enhance energy security, National Gas said in a statement.
Ian Radley, Chief Commercial Officer at National Gas, described the announcement as ‘a hugely significant moment in Britain’s energy transition’. He added: ‘The East Coast is the natural place to start. It’s one of the most important industrial heartlands with enormous hydrogen potential.’
The plans build on findings from National Gas’s FutureGrid test facility, where it has been demonstrated that blends of up to 100% hydrogen can be safely transported using existing infrastructure.
By repurposing existing natural gas pipelines and building new ones where needed, up to 1,500 miles of hydrogen network will be created in the UK under Project Union. Early analysis suggests it could support around 3,100 jobs at peak construction and generate £300mn annually in direct economic value.
Planned route of Project Union: East Coast
National Gas
Launch of Humber Hydrogen consortium
The announcement follows a recent partnership between National Gas, Centrica, Equinor and SSE Thermal to secure government funding for Britain’s first hydrogen cluster – Humber Hydrogen.
The Project Union East Coast underground pipeline will link into the Humber Hydrogen cluster, connecting major production, storage and industrial demand centres across the region.
The consortium is preparing a bid under the government’s Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model. A funding decision, expected to be worth around £500mn, would unlock infrastructure critical to large-scale hydrogen deployment.
Several major projects are already planned in the Humber, including hydrogen production facilities at Easington and Saltend, which together could deliver up to 3 GW of capacity.
