Costain assesses hydrogen need for Wales & West Utilities

Wales and West Utilities (WWU) has chosen Costain to support its industrial and commercial customers switch to low carbon solutions like hydrogen.

Research into the role of hydrogen, and the potential for blending solutions in the gas network, is a key part of providing the evidence to drive forward the UK’s net zero ambitions and reaching national targets of generating 10GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

Laura Hughes, energy sector director at Costain, explained: “To make decarbonisation of the UK a reality, a mix of clean fuels will be required to meet increasing energy demands. Integrating hydrogen into our gas network, either through blending or full conversion, will be instrumental in providing clean, reliable energy for 2050 and beyond.

“Through this important study, Wales and West Utilities will have a good understanding of market requirements which will help accelerate the UK’s decarbonisation mission.” 

Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected to establish the market’s current level of understanding around hydrogen refuelling plans and users’ preferred means of decarbonisation, such as through the deployment of carbon capture, usage and storage solutions or utilising a hydrogen network.

The research will also geographically map users and help WWU understand which customers will need additional support to ensure that the transition to hydrogen blending does not impact their operations.

Matthew Hindle, head of net zero and sustainability at Wales and West Utilities, said: “The energy system transition means changes for everyone who uses energy – including industrial and commercial businesses of all sizes, many of whom rely on the gas network today and could use hydrogen in the future.

“At WWU we’re committed to doing all we can to improve understanding and help our customers across Wales and the southwest of England implement sustainable transition plans.

“We look forward to working with the Costain team to help us support our customers and better understand their needs.”

Costain is providing a range of support to WWU’s decarbonisation activity, including conducting a separate study how hydrogen refuelling stations can be integrated into the UK’s existing gas network.