Wales & West Utilities is announcing plans for a major H₂ pipeline in south Wales, to accelerate decarbonization plans for industry and gas customers in the region. HyLine Cymru will assess the feasibility of a pipeline network from Pembroke to the Swansea Bay area, connecting low carbon H₂ production with industrial demand and providing options for other natural gas customers.

If built, the pipeline will pave the way for commercial scale H₂ production in Pembrokeshire, Port Talbot and in the Celtic Sea, whilst also providing infrastructure for energy intensive industrial customers to begin fuel-switching their processes to H₂ in the 2030s or earlier.

It could also facilitate the conversion of home heating to H₂; enabling south Wales towns to go green while keeping disruption to homes and communities to a minimum, and connect to National Grid’s Project Union, which will establish a National Hydrogen Transmission System to link the UK’s industrial clusters with a dedicated supply system.

Changing the way, we heat our homes and power businesses will be critical to reducing carbon emissions, and for Wales and the UK to meet its net zero targets. H₂ can replace natural gas in industrial processes, as well as for heating and cooking in homes. It provides energy in the same way but does not produce CO₂ at the point of use, meaning it is an environmentally friendly source of energy.

HyLine Cymru is being led by Wales & West Utilities in collaboration with eight key organizations to explore the feasibility of transporting H₂ to maximize the decarbonization opportunity in south Wales.

• Associated British Ports (ABP)
• Dolphyn Celtic Sea Developments
• LanzaTech
• National Grid Gas Transmission (NGGT)
• Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC)
• RWE
• Shell
• Tata Steel UK

Matt Hindle, Head of Net Zero and Sustainability at Wales & West Utilities said, “Hydrogen will play a central role in decarbonizing heavy industry and building the economy and jobs of the future. HyLine Cymru will help make sure Welsh homes and businesses can make the most of the opportunities offered by hydrogen. We’re delighted to be leading this project to explore the feasibility of transporting hydrogen produced in Pembroke to the central and easterly regions of south Wales, connecting hydrogen supply and demand.”

The 2020s must be a decade of delivery, where we put the research and development work that has been done on H₂ into practice. If we are to decarbonize homes, businesses and heavy industry across Wales then we need to get moving on the infrastructure now.

Chris Williams, Head of Industrial Decarbonization at Industry Wales said, “This proposed H₂ pipeline will unlock opportunities for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and help ensure that renewable development is maximized for the benefit of industry in south Wales. H₂ infrastructure is crucial for the development of SWIC, and to enable industrial fuel switching where electrification is not an option. This project will significantly de-risk H₂ production and demand projects which need connecting infrastructure and help secure the 100,000 people employed in south Wales industries as they go through their just transition to net zero.”