Future of gas

    The government has set a target for the UK to be net zero by 2050. That means reducing harmful CO2 emissions by 100%. Those emissions come from burning fossil fuels like coal, diesel and fossil gas – to power our industries, run our cars and lorries and heat our homes and businesses. We have to find new ways – greener ways – to do these things. This is what we are doing...

    Over one third of CO2 emissions come from heating our homes and offices so decarbonising heat is a major issue for the UK to address. We are working on ways to achieve this and believe that the best way to keep customers warm whilst enjoying the flexibility of gas with minimum disruption, is to use the existing network to deliver greener gases like biomethane and hydrogen. They work just as well as fossil gas but with significantly lower carbon emissions.

    We fully support renewable electricity from wind and solar to meet lots of the country’s energy needs but it is now well understood that if we are to reach 100% carbon reduction, hydrogen will be essential to heat our homes, fuel heavy transport and power industries.

    Hydrogen

    The great thing about hydrogen is that it doesn't produce any CO2 emissions when used. It can be used for heat, power and even fuel for large vehicles like HGVs. And it can be delivered through our existing gas network, keeping customer disruption to a minimum.

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    Biomethane

    Along with zero carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, solar and wind power, biomethane, is one of the sustainable energy sources that could allow for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

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    Evolution of the gas in our pipeline

    • Cast iron gas mains
    • Steel gas mains
    • Our mains replacement programme is getting us H ready.
    1800s - 1900s
    TOWN GAS

    Manufactured from coal and consisted of Hydrogen, Carbon monoxide, Methane and Carbon dioxide.

    1960s - 1970s
    FOSSIL GAS

    Naturally occurring fossil fuel consisting of Methane, Ethane, Propane and other gases. Fossil gas was introduced into the network to replace Town gas.

    2010
    FOSSIL GAS & BIOMETHANE

    Biomethane (a biogas produced from anaerobic digestion) was first injected into our gas network (at Didcot) in 2010. Over time, more and more biomethane connections are being made to the network.

    Government decision on heat strategy c.2025
    Today
    FOSSIL GAS, BIOMETHANE AND HYDROGEN (20%)

    Following the government's decision on the UK heat strategy, we seek to blend 20% Hydrogen (H) into the network.

    2050
    Hydrogen (100%)

    Our network would look to move to 100% hydrogen, with the Hydrogen production becoming "greener" over time - Green H is Hydrogen derived from renewables.

    What are we doing?

    We’re involved in several hydrogen projects in partnerships with the energy sector.

    The three main areas we lead on are blending, industrial power and decarbonising heavy transport.

    Blended Hydrogen
    Industrial Decarbonisation
    Decarbonising heavy transport
    Making our network green gas ready
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