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The scheme would be the largest hydrogen trial of its size in the country as gas companies look to prove that hydrogen can be used within current gas infrastructure.
The UK Government is set to approve a landmark hydrogen heating trial in Redcar, a small town in North Yorkshire, despite growing opposition from locals.
Energy Secretary Clair Coutinho is “minded to approve” the contentious scheme, with a firm announcement expected to come within the next few weeks, the Telegraph reports.
Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the company responsible for distributing gas to homes and businesses across northern England, will run the project, which would supply around 2,000 homes and businesses in parts of Redcar with 100% hydrogen to replace traditional gas heating and cooking systems.
If approved, the scheme would be the largest hydrogen trial of its size in the country as gas companies look to prove that hydrogen can be used within current gas infrastructure. “Hydrogen can be used in the same way as natural gas but it doesn’t create carbon when burned, meaning it could be compatible with future targets to tackle climate change,” NGN said in a statement.
A similar trial proposed by gas company Cadent, also due to be held in North Yorkshire in the town of Whitby, near Ellesmere Port, was called off in July after residents objected to the project, claiming they felt like “lab rats”.
Public opposition to hydrogen stems mainly from safety concerns as hydrogen is colourless and odourless, highly flammable and burns invisibly, making leaks and fires more difficult to detect. However, some organisations argue that when handled properly and responsibly, green hydrogen is less dangerous than other flammable fuels used today. |
