H21 North of England – deep decarbonisation of heat to meet climate change targets

The H21 North of England is a detailed engineering solution for converting 3.7 million UK homes and businesses from natural gas to hydrogen, in order to reduce carbon emissions.

Created by gas distributers Northern Gas Networks and Cadent, in partnership with global energy company Equinor, this hydrogen blueprint sets out how the UK is ready to lead the way in reducing CO2 emissions through the world’s largest clean energy project.

The UK has committed to reducing its carbon emissions to at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. Currently, over 30% of emissions come from domestic heating and cooking.

H21 North of England finds that converting the UK gas grid to hydrogen has the ability to provide “deep decarbonisation” of heat, as well as transport and power generation, with minimal disruption to customers.

This has the combined potential to reduce carbon emissions by over 258 million tonnes a year by 2050, equating to over 80% of the UK’s remaining reduction target.

H21 North of England report proposes conversion will begin in 2028, with expansion across 3.7 million properties in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Huddersfield, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, Teesside and Newcastle over the following seven years.

A six-phase further UK rollout could see 12 million more homes across the rest of the country converted to hydrogen by 2050.

Download the full report or key messaging document now, or watch our film: