Plans for the UK to have the world's first zero carbon gas grid have been revealed.

Wales & West Utilities, based in Newport, and which owns the gas network in South Wales and the West of England, has joined forces with fellow gas networks Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, National Grid Gas, and SGN, and trade body Energy Networks Association (ENA) to publish an industry blueprint for cutting out carbon emissions,called Gas Goes Green.

Its Gas Goes Green programme aims to deliver the changes needed to move Britain's network of 284,000 kilometres of gas pipelines to move from delivering methane-based natural gas to zero carbon hydrogen and biomethane.

As well as the gas networks the project also brings together civil servants, engineering and policy experts to solve the operational and technical issues associated with delivering a zero carbon gas grid. Changes will be delivered following regulatory approval.

Repurposing the UK’s existing gas network would help decarbonise heat and power for UK homes and businesses, helping the UK Government achieve to its zero carbon target by 2050.

Gas network companies have been running trials for using hydrogen and other green gas in projects around the country, including at Keele University, which has the world’s first live demonstration of using hydrogen for heating in homes.

In is first phase the programme will:

  • Agree and deliver a 17-step hydrogen transformation Plan for preparing Britain for a national gas boiler switchover scheme.
  • Undertake the technical and operational research necessary for the Government to make changes to regulations for using hydrogen and renewable gases in the gas networks.
  • Agree and deliver the updated safety measures for running a zero carbon gas grid.
  • Make changes to connections to the gas grid, to make it easier for farmers and other businesses to feed in green gases like biomethane into the local gas grid.

A report will be published later this week setting out in more detail how the transition to green gas from natural gas will be funded.


However, converting gas supplies to carbon neutral gas will be a gradual process that will see increasing amounts of green gases like hydrogen and biomethane blended into the existing gas networks.

Some 23 million properties and 85% of Britain’s homes are connected to its gas grid, making it one of the most extensive in the world.

Recent research found that that creating zero carbon gas grid in the UK is not only possible but that it could help save billpayers up to £13bn a year compared to the alternative methods of decarbonising heat and transport.

Chris Clarke, Wales & West Utilities energy strategy director, said: “We’ve pledged to deliver a net zero ready gas network by 2035 and are already preparing the gas network across Wales and South West England to be ready for green gases, like biomethane and hydrogen.

“Collaboration is the only way we are going to be able to make the changes necessary to reach net zero. We’re delighted to be part of the Gas Goes Green programme, working in partnership with the ENA and the UK’s other gas networks to help deliver a green gas network that is reliable and green, so we can continue to heat homes, power businesses and keep the lights on in an affordable, reliable, and sustainable way.”

Gas suppliers using the Wales & West Utilities Network provide gas to 2.5 million homes and businesses. Of those, the equivalent of 130,000, are currently supplied by green gas.

The majority of these are in the South west of England. West & West Utilities said it is keen to increase the numbers of green gas connections in Wales.

Between 2021 and 2026 it plans to invest £18.2m to increase the amount of green gas in its network.