News & Updates

Launch date: 29th of March

Creation of ‘Hydrogen Valley’ could bring jobs, reduce CO2, and attract investment to the West Midlands and East of England

A feasibility study conducted by two of Britain’s leading gas networks has shown that a hydrogen economy in the West Midlands and East of England could:

Safeguard and create 34,000 jobs in the region, creating real, tangible benefits to constituents of the Hydrogen Valley region.

Reduce CO2 emissions by 12.9 million tonnes.

Attract up to £28 billion in private capital investment in hydrogen production by developing a green economy in the Hydrogen Valley region.

Boost energy resilience and protect consumers from volatile prices through locally produced and consumed hydrogen.

The Hydrogen Valley project is delivered by Cadent and National Gas Transmission and is supported by more than 30 regional stakeholders, including PEPSICO, CEMEX, British Sugar, RWE, West Midlands Combined Authority, and others from hydrogen production to demand and including the public sector.

The Hydrogen Valley is an East-West corridor that encompasses Norfolk in the east to Shropshire in the West, comprised of the administrative counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Peterborough, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, and the West Midlands.

The vision for the Hydrogen Valley is being set out at a House of Commons launch event, hosted by MP Bim Afolami this afternoon (29/03/2023). The event will bring together more than a hundred representatives from politics, industry, academia and business. Together they will outline their commitment to accelerate decarbonisation and to bring the benefits of a hydrogen economy to the West Midlands and East of England.

Initial research identified that the Hydrogen Valley is home to major operations in power generation, automotive, manufacturing, metal processing, and building materials, employing tens of thousands of people collectively.

“With the launch of the Hydrogen Valley study, we are nearer to understanding the role that hydrogen could play in delivering a net zero energy system while boosting local economies, communities and creating a resilient system that enhances the UK’s energy security.“

— Helen Boyle

Head of Regional Development at Cadent

“We are looking forward to sharing the results of the feasibility study, which has enabled us to explore how we can maximise the value of existing UK infrastructure and give consumers fair access to cost effective low carbon Hydrogen.“

— Danielle Stewart

Hydrogen Project Director at
National Gas Transmission

“We expect zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered air travel to become a reality in the next few years. The more brains and organisations involved, the sooner game-changing advances like this will become a reality.”

— Simon Richards

Chief finance and sustainability officer for Birmingham Airport

To view the full report and the executive summary

  • About National Gas Transmission

    National Gas comprises two businesses, National Gas Transmission and National Gas Metering.

    As both the transmission owner and system operator, National Gas Transmission owns, builds and operates the high-pressure NTS with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and de-mand in real time and facilitates the connection of assets to the transmission system. The NTS comprises approximately 7,600 kilometres of high-pressure pipe and 23 compressor stations connecting to 8 distribution networks and other third-party independent systems.

    National Gas also owns and operates an independent metering business, National Gas Metering, the largest owner of traditional gas meters in the UK with approximately 7 million domestic and commercial meters. The business’ activities cover asset procurement and logistics man-agement, meter installation, maintenance, exchange and removal and customer service provi-sion.

  • Cadent

    Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

    Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network al-ready in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

    Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas indus-try - 0800 111 999*

    Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.

    *All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

  • Guidehouse

    Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public sector and commercial markets, with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. Guidehouse’s global Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure segment is a trusted advisor to utilities and energy companies, large corporations, investors, NGOs, and the public sector. Our team supported Cadent Gas and National Gas Transmission in the development of the Hydrogen Valley.

  • Premzero

    Premtech are design framework consultants for UK gas transmission and distribution networks. Premzero is a specialist team within Premtech developed with the objective of moving the UK onshore oil and gas transportation industry towards net zero by 2050, with a particular focus on hydrogen, biofuels, and carbon capture. Premzero assessed infrastructure feasibility for the Hydrogen Valley, which included identifying infrastructure requirements and transition pathways.