Project Union: East Coast

Project Union: East Coast

Project Union: East Coast is the first phase of National Gas’ ambition to create a 1,500 mile hydrogen transmission network across Great Britain, known as Project Union.

Learn more about Project Union

Contact Us

Get in touch with the project team by visiting our Contact Us page.

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Contact Us

Get in touch with the project team by visiting our Contact Us page.

Click here

The first phase of the national hydrogen network

Through Project Union: East Coast, National Gas will create more than 300 miles of underground pipeline to connect some of Britain’s most important industrial regions and anchor the country’s emerging hydrogen economy.

It will also help meet the UK Government targets of net zero emissions by 2050 by enabling a transition to more home-grown, low-carbon energy for hard-to-decarbonise industries.

The first phase of the national hydrogen network

Through Project Union: East Coast, National Gas will create more than 300 miles of underground pipeline to connect some of Britain’s most important industrial regions and anchor the country’s emerging hydrogen economy.

It will also help meet the UK Government targets of net zero emissions by 2050 by enabling a transition to more home-grown, low-carbon energy for hard-to-decarbonise industries.

Project Union: East Coast proposed route

Project Union: East Coast Route Corridor

About Project Union: East Coast

The proposed pipeline runs from Teesside, through Yorkshire and the Humber, then south to the East Midlands, following a route that connects major industrial areas across the East Coast of England.

The underground pipeline would be a mix of repurposed existing gas pipelines and new‑build sections.

The route is still being refined and will continue to evolve as surveys and consultation take place.

Why the East Coast?
Teesside and the Humber are two of the UK’s largest industrial clusters and is where much of the country’s low‑carbon hydrogen is expected to be produced by 2030.

With major industrial sites, power stations and large‑scale gas storage facilities already in place, it is the ideal location to pioneer a dedicated hydrogen network.

This region will lead the transition to cleaner energy, helping industries switch from natural gas to low‑carbon hydrogen.

Project Union: East Coast will:
•    transport hydrogen from multiple producers
•    connect industrial users and storage sites
•    anchor a national hydrogen supply chain
•    support decarbonisation across the region

Read more about how we are delivering Project Union: East Coast by clicking here.

Project Union: East Coast proposed route

About Project Union: East Coast

The proposed pipeline runs from Teesside, through Yorkshire and the Humber, then south to the East Midlands, following a route that connects major industrial areas across the East Coast of England.

The underground pipeline would be a mix of repurposed existing gas pipelines and new‑build sections.

The route is still being refined and will continue to evolve as surveys and consultation take place.

Why the East Coast?
Teesside and the Humber are two of the UK’s largest industrial clusters and is where much of the country’s low‑carbon hydrogen is expected to be produced by 2030.

With major industrial sites, power stations and large‑scale gas storage facilities already in place, it is the ideal location to pioneer a dedicated hydrogen network.

This region will lead the transition to cleaner energy, helping industries switch from natural gas to low‑carbon hydrogen.

Project Union: East Coast will:
•    transport hydrogen from multiple producers
•    connect industrial users and storage sites
•    anchor a national hydrogen supply chain
•    support decarbonisation across the region

Read more about how we are delivering Project Union: East Coast by clicking here.

Ian Radley, National Gas Chief Commercial Officer

“This is a hugely significant moment in Britain’s energy transition and a clear signal of the real momentum behind the UK’s hydrogen ambitions. By setting out concrete plans for the first phase of the national hydrogen network, we’re delivering the infrastructure that will secure Britain’s place as a world leader in hydrogen."

“The East Coast is the natural place to start. It’s one of the Britain’s most important industrial heartlands with enormous hydrogen potential, making it the ideal region to begin developing a network that can then scale across the country."

How the national hydrogen network will work

Project Union will combine:

Repurposed gas transmission pipelines, reducing cost, disruption and environmental impact
Newly constructed hydrogen pipelines to create key network links
Above ground installations (AGIs) – specially designed sites acting as the connection hubs and control points of the hydrogen system
Underground pipeline infrastructure, keeping the system safely out of sight once construction is complete

Together, these form a resilient transport network capable of moving large volumes of hydrogen to where it’s needed most.

Above Ground Installations

While the network is predominantly underground, a small number of above ground installations (AGIs) are required. These sites allow us to:

safely control and monitor the network
connect industrial users
support maintenance and resilience
provide expansion capability for the future

We will work closely with communities to agree suitable locations and minimise environmental effects

Repurposed pipelines

This involves adapting parts of the existing natural gas network to carry 100% hydrogen.

Reduces construction time, cost and environmental disruption, helping to accelerate delivery of the national hydrogen network
Makes efficient use of the extensive national transmission system, drawing on decades of proven safety and reliability while minimising local impacts
Provides a quicker, lower-carbon route to creating strategic hydrogen infrastructure, while supporting a smooth transition for industrial users connected to the existing NTS

Newly built pipelines

This involves installing new pipelines where repurposing isn't feasible.

Ensures the network can reach key industrial, production and storage locations that are not currently served by existing infrastructure
Offers flexibility to design routes optimised for capacity, resilience and future expansion, supporting long-term growth in hydrogen production and demand
Allows National Gas to incorporate the latest materials, technologies and safety systems from the outset.

How Project Union: East Coast will power industry and support local communities

Connecting a growing hydrogen economy

Linking producers, industrial users and storage sites will create a fully integrated hydrogen ecosystem across the East Coast.

Bolstering UK energy security

Hydrogen produced here at home will reduce reliance on imported fuels and support the resilience of Britain’s energy system.

Boosting jobs, investment and long‑term industrial success

Hydrogen infrastructure will help protect existing jobs, create skilled new roles, and attract investment to the region.

Empowering local communities

National Gas is committed to working closely with communities, landowners and local authorities to shape the project and ensure it delivers a positive legacy - supporting skills, training and local supply chains.

Hydrogen is already used in industry today and we have the knowledge to take it into other applications. The UK’s Hydrogen Strategy estimates that 250-460 TWh of hydrogen could be needed to achieve net zero in 2050, which would make up 20-35% of final energy demand.

Hydrogen already plays a role in major industries. As the UK transitions toward net zero, low‑carbon hydrogen will be essential for sectors that cannot easily electrify, such as chemicals, steel, manufacturing and flexible power generation

The need for a national hydrogen network was also clearly identified by the Climate Change Committee, the Second National Infrastructure Assessment and in the UK Government’s Hydrogen Transport and Storage Networks Pathway.

Hydrogen will complement other energy sources, helping power industry for future generations. It will protect existing jobs by ensuring the long-term viability industrial activities through an effective, low-carbon alternative fuel source, while also creating new roles in the growing green economy, placing Britain at the forefront of a burgeoning global green energy market.

National Gas and the future of hydrogen in Britain

Safely moving gas for more than 60 years

National Gas owns and operates the 5,000‑mile National Transmission System (NTS) which has transported gas the length and breadth of Great Britain for more than 60 years.

Decades of investment and innovation have shaped our NTS into one of Europe’s safest and most dependable energy networks. Project Union builds on this legacy, and the next major step in National Gas’ evolution and in the transformation of Great Britain’s gas transmission system for a low‑carbon future.

FutureGrid

FutureGrid is a leading hydrogen test facility. Using decommissioned NTS assets, it allows us to test every part of a hydrogen transmission network in a safe, controlled environment - providing real‑world evidence to support repurposing existing NTS pipelines to transport hydrogen.

Clare Jackson, Hydrogen UK CEO

“Hydrogen UK welcomes the next phase of National Gas’s Project Union. Developing a hydrogen backbone is essential to unlocking investment, driving economic growth and supporting the reindustrialisation of the UK’s energy-intensive regions."

"By connecting hydrogen production with the industries that need it, infrastructure like this will help ensure British industry remains competitive in the global energy transition while strengthening the UK’s energy security.”

Working in partnership on the East Coast

Humber Hydrogen

Project Union: East Coast's underground pipeline connects into Humber Hydrogen, a partnership between Centrica, Equinor, National Gas and SSE Thermal that connect major production, storage and industrial demand centres across the region.

Click here to learn more

East Coast Hydrogen

Project Union: East Coast is part of East Coast Hydrogen, a collaboration between National Gas, Northern Gas Networks and Cadent to connect planned hydrogen production and storage with industrial users.

Click here to learn more