East Coast Hydrogen receives funding for next phase of clean energy programme

East Coast Hydrogen will repurpose and build new gas pipelines to deliver clean hydrogen at scale across the North East, the Humber region, Yorkshire, and the East Midlands – a critical step on the UK’s journey to clean, secure energy.

East Coast Hydrogen will play a key role in helping power generation and heavy industry across the East Coast transition from natural gas – replacing it with low-carbon hydrogen to protect jobs, keep the lights on, and deliver the infrastructure needed to support the UK’s future hydrogen economy.

Ofgem has now confirmed its support for East Coast Hydrogen – a partnership led by National Gas, Cadent, and Northern Gas Networks – by awarding approximately £96 million in funding to carry out engineering, planning, and public consultation on proposals. This follows the £500 million announced by the UK government in June 2025 for regional hydrogen transport and storage networks as part of the Spending Review.

It will pave the way for delivery of a hydrogen-ready pipeline network which is expected to be delivered over the next decade and make a major contribution to the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.

This latest funding ensures work can continue at pace on the infrastructure needed to deliver that transformation.

Jon Butterworth, CEO at National Gas, said: “This funding marks a crucial step in building the infrastructure needed to unlock the UK’s hydrogen economy at scale. At National Gas, we are committed to enabling the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system that is secure, cost-effective, and future-ready. Project Union, our plan to create a 1500 mile core hydrogen network across Great Britain, will start in the East Coast and this funding will support that ambition. By repurposing existing infrastructure, we will connect hydrogen production, storage, and demand, helping to deliver flexible electricity, decarbonise industry, and protect jobs in some of the UK’s most energy-intensive regions.”

Ofgem’s decision signals confidence in the region’s ability to help lead the UK’s hydrogen transition and opens the door to thousands of jobs and future investment in key industrial heartlands.

East Coast Hydrogen is expected to move into the delivery phase later this decade, with the aim of starting hydrogen flows from the early 2030s.

It brings together over 120 organisations across key sectors including hydrogen producers, power generators, industry, energy networks, airports, and hospitals.

From decarbonising industry to reducing the carbon footprint of everyday products and services, the shared ambition is to build a hydrogen economy that reduces emissions and generates secure energy, economic growth, and new domestic jobs.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/24062025/east-coast-hydrogen-receives-funding-for-next-phase-of-clean-energy-programme/