Delivering Project Union: East Coast
In 2025, Ofgem confirmed £57m funding (in 25/26 pricing) for Project Union: East Coast for a 2-year Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) programme to carry out design, environmental assessment, consents and public consultation on proposals.
National Gas has transported natural gas for safely for 60 years demonstrating that that our National Transmission System is one of Europe's safest and dependable energy networks. We are now working with world class leaders in the engineering field to develop the first phase of Project Union, Project Union: East Coast, the blueprint for a national hydrogen network for Britain.
The Humber Section
The first section of Project Union: East Coast to be developed consists of new build underground pipelines connecting locations across the Humber region.
The pipeline routes around the Humber Estuary, starting at Goxhill, heading west to Asselby, before routing north of the estuary and east to Aldbrough.
As one of Britain’s most carbon-intensive industrial areas and the proposed location of a large amount of Britain’s future hydrogen production, development of the Humber region is an important step in establishing the wider Project Union: East Coast network. Connecting hydrogen producers, users, and storage locations throughout the region, this first phase will create the infrastructure needed to support future phases.
We'll be presenting more information and seeking early feedback on the Humber Section during our public consultation, planned for January 2027.
Humber Hydrogen
Humber Hydrogen is a collaboration between National Gas, Equinor, Centrica and SSE Thermal to develop an integrated hydrogen cluster across the Humber, connecting production, storage, transport and industrial use across key locations. Humber Hydrogen will decarbonise one of Britain’s most carbon‑intensive industrial areas while providing low carbon feedstock for high value industries.
Humber Hydrogen Pipeline
The Humber Hydrogen Pipeline is National Gas’ project to transport hydrogen across the cluster. The Humber section of Project Union: East Coast will connect to the Humber Hydrogen Pipeline at Goxhill and Aldbrough, with both projects supporting the wider Humber Hydrogen cluster.
Ongoing surveys
In addition to the surveys we have been carrying out along the Humber Section, we will be undertaking ground investigation surveys in Autumn 2026.
These surveys are an essential part of gathering data for our environmental impact assessment and progressing our engineering design work for Project Union: East Coast. You may see our surveyors in the area as they carry out this work.
Information for landowners
If you are a landowner, occupier or person with an interest in land in the Humber area and have received a letter from National Gas, and you would like to talk to our Land Rights team, please contact:
For north of the Humber – please email:
[email protected]
For south of the Humber – please email:
[email protected]
Or call us on: 0161 200 2134
Future phases
We are committed to delivering the wider Project Union: East Coast network, with proposed pipelines in Teesside, Yorkshire and the East Midlands. These pipelines remain an important part of the long-term vision for the project and will continue to be progressed as the programme develops.
Our commitment to progressing the national hydrogen network was confirmed by our recent announcement that the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage for St Fergus to Teesside has commenced. This project will create a key link in Britain’s national hydrogen network, enabling the decarbonisation of some of Scotland’s largest emitters.
Our delivery strategy
Project Union: East Coast will be taken forward as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means it will require one or more Development Consent Order (DCO) applications to construct the network.
The size and complexity of the project means that a phased approach will be used to deliver it, with the first phase being the Humber Section. This approach will enable us to:
- minimise disruption.
- make best use of existing infrastructure.
- accelerate delivery.
- understand the unique requirements of each area through phased consultation and environmental assessments.
As future phases develop, we will continue to provide updates and opportunities to help shape our proposals.
Building the evidence base for a national hydrogen network
Our teams have:
- Engaged UK Government and industrial customers to demonstrate the needs case.
- Visited European hydrogen pipeline projects to learn from real‑world construction and operations.
- Built a world‑leading evidence base through our FutureGrid testing facility, carrying out real‑world trials on existing pipeline assets to demonstrate that hydrogen can be transported safely and reliably across the network.
- Engaged key stakeholders to provide early and transparent project updates.
What are we doing now?
Surveys and assessments
- We are undertaking surveys along the proposed route of the Humber Section to gather data for our environmental impact assessment and to support our engineering design work on our new build pipelines in this area.
- We are continuing to progress detailed assessments for the repurposed sections and design work for the new build sections along the rest of Project Union: East Coast.
Engaging local stakeholders
- We are working closely with stakeholders to help us refine our proposals as they evolve.
- This early engagement is an important part of how we are developing Project Union: East Coast, enabling us to draw on local knowledge, understand environmental and planning considerations, and identify opportunities to minimise impacts wherever possible.
Preparing for public consultation
- We are committed to working closely with communities, landowners and other local stakeholders, whose feedback will play a key role in shaping the project.
- To enable this, we will hold a public consultation on the Humber Section in January 2027.
- Full details regarding the consultation and how communities can share their feedback will be announced closer to the time.
Corinna Burger, National Gas Programme Director for Project Union
“National Gas is proud to be placing the East Coast at the heart of the UK’s emerging hydrogen network - supporting long‑term energy resilience, attracting new investment, and driving the decarbonisation of one of the nation’s most strategically important industrial corridors.”
The DCO Process
The process explained
Pre‑application
We refine proposals and complete environmental assessments. Stakeholders, landowners and the public are invited to give their views. This stage helps identify potential local sensitivities early so they can be addressed before the design is finalised.
Submission
We submit the application to the Planning Inspectorate. This marks the formal start of the consenting process and provides the full technical evidence required for consideration.
Acceptance
The Planning Inspectorate decides whether to accept the application for examination.
Pre‑examination
Stakeholders register as Interested Parties and attend a Preliminary Meeting. This stage ensures all relevant voices are captured early, helping shape the issues the Examination will focus on
Examination
Interested parties may present evidence, with hearings lasting up to six months. During this period, the Examining Authority reviews detailed submissions and may request further information to test the robustness of the proposal.
Decision
A final decision is then made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
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Delivering the Project
Find out more about how we plan to deliver Project Union: East Coast.
Delivering Project Union: East Coast