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HyNet North West hydrogen and CO2 pipelines

Planning and designing infrastructure for a pioneering clean growth project that will put the UK at the forefront of net-zero innovation. 

Location

  • United Kingdom

At the heart of the UK’s target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 are zero-carbon industrial clusters, which will be powered by hydrogen and have their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions captured, used and stored. WSP is working as an advisor on the hydrogen and CO2 pipelines for the HyNet North West project, which will create an exemplar cluster. Low cost and deliverable in phases with operations as early as 2025, the project will tackle the challenges of eliminating CO2 emissions from industry, domestic heat and transport.

Key stats

  • 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions reduction per year, the equivalent of taking 4 million cars off the road
  • 50% – this project could ultimately provide nearly half of the total hydrogen needed to meet the UK’s net zero target
  • 6,000 permanent new jobs could be created in the North West

HyNet North West is based on the production of low carbon hydrogen from natural gas. It includes a new hydrogen pipeline network which, when complete, will stretch across the North West of England and North Wales. This will supply energy-intensive industrial gas users as well as, ultimately, domestic heat customers, flexible power generation and fuelling of hydrogen buses, trains and trucks. 

Crucially, HyNet North West pairs hydrogen production and distribution with the UK’s first carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure. CCS can capture up to 95% of CO2 emissions from industrial processes which use natural gas, such as fertiliser production. CO2 emissions from the HyNet North West cluster will be piped to safe and permanent storage in depleted gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay, reusing the related infrastructure. 

Working for Progressive Energy on behalf of Cadent, we completed the pre-feasibility outline design for the hydrogen pipeline network. The network will be centred on the Stanlow Refinery at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire and grown across a series of stepped phases to stretch from North East Wales to Manchester and north of Liverpool. WSP defined the network model including pipeline sizing and flows, the above-ground installations (AGI) requirements and even the outline control and operational philosophies and safety case requirements. Working with our project partners, we also developed a capital estimate for the phased work.

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. Designing infrastructure which is future ready and which will support the UK’s net zero 2050 target is truly exciting.
Ben Clarke, Head of Gas Networks at WSP

The HyNet North West scheme is made up of a series of projects, each of which is a valuable scheme in its own right. The nature and scale of some of the projects means they will be defined as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008. NSIPs require a special type of planning permission called a Development Consent Order (DCO). Drawing on our expertise in planning major infrastructure projects, including HS2, WSP, alongside Communications specialists Copper Consultancy and planning consultants Axis, is providing planning, land, environmental and stakeholder expertise for HyNet North West’s CO2 pipeline. This includes developing strategies that can also be employed for the hydrogen network. 

HyNet holds the potential for clean economic growth and jobs for communities across the North West of England and North Wales. Hydrogen and CCS will play a major role in achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero target and we’re delighted to be supported by WSP, Copper Consultancy and Axis to deliver this stage of the scheme.
David Parkin, Director, Progressive Energy Limited

Ahead of January 2021 we are conducting wintering bird surveys and informing pipeline route options development for HyNet North West. During 2021 we will complete an environmental scoping report before conducting two rounds of public consultation to inform the detailed design of the pipeline network. This will be followed by presentation of the preliminary environmental report and consultation report, with the extensive suite of work then packaged into the full DCO application. During construction, we will continue to support HyNet North West with environmental and planning advice.

2018-23 – Phase 1: building the evidence

2022-27 – Phase 2: project delivery (first operations in 2025)

2027-30 – Phase 3: extension to wider area

2030-50 – Vision: further extension and other areas of the UK using the HyNet model

Communicating the benefits of HyNet North West will be key to securing community understanding and support, explains WSP’s Head of Engagement, Belinda Redpath: 

The project will protect existing jobs and create 6,000 new ones in the region, offering wider opportunities for local people. Alongside Copper Consultancy we are focused on working with residents and stakeholders to shape a scheme that best fits the needs of local communities.

To inform the design of the route, we’ve developed an interactive map to plot land designation. As well as highlighting environmental constraints such as ancient woodland, nationally designated sites and local nature reserves, it also details features that pose an engineering challenge for the pipeline – such as rivers, motorways and other main roads.

In addition, we are building the planning case for the project, demonstrating how it supports the government’s Green Growth Strategy and forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy. This is a project that will generate multiple benefits for the economy and the environment – from CO2 reduction and cleaner air to new jobs and inward investment – and we are proud to be helping deliver it.

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