Resident Engagement Leaves Hydrogen Project in the Balance

Starting October 14, Cadent Gas opens a consultation on the expansive pipeline, designed to distribute low carbon hydrogen —primarily produced by EET Hydrogen at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex near Ellesmere Port — to industrial sites in the North West. 

This will cover areas in Cheshire West, including Northwich and Chester, as well as parts of Halton and Warrington. Dubbed HyNet North West, the pipeline will be underground, though it will require nine Hydrogen Above Ground Installations (HAGIs) and two Block Valve Installations (BVIs) along its route. 

Cadent is applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Government to proceed. As part of the DCO process, there will be three consultation stages, inviting public feedback on the plans. 

Rob Donovan, project director, stated: “This latest design includes changes made thanks to community feedback gathered from both previous stages of consultation and has also been informed by further technical and environmental work. 

“We encourage local communities and authorities, as well as industry partners, to share their views on these more detailed plans, to help us further develop our designs ahead of submitting our application for consent. The feedback we receive is crucial to ensuring the success of our proposals.” 

HyNet North West aims to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen, as well as capture and store carbon from industrial sites. Project leaders said it will be the UK’s first 100 percent hydrogen network. 

After finalising the design, Cadent will submit an application for a DCO to the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, expected in Spring 2025, with a final decision anticipated in 2026.