Plans for a low-carbon hydrogen pipeline with the potential to supply thousands of homes and businesses across South West Wales have been revealed. While at an early assessment stage, and with no firm costings yet in place, energy infrastructure venture Wales & West Utilities said the pipeline would stretch from Pembroke to the Swansea Bay area, connecting hydrogen production with industrial demand and providing options for other natural gas customers.
If built it said it could pave the way for commercial scale hydrogen 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 hydrogen in the 2030s or earlier.
The project is begin led by Wales & West Utilities under the HyLine Cymru banner, which also includes, amongst others, port operator Associated British Ports, RWE, Pembrokeshire County Council and Shell.
It said it could also facilitate the conversion of home heating to hydrogen and be connected 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.
The planning and consenting process will depend on whether the project is classified as a development of national significance (a Welsh Government responsibility) or a nationally significant infrastructure Project (UK Government).
Matt Hindle, head of net zero and sustainability at Wales & West Utilities, said: “Hydrogen will play a central role in decarbonising 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 hydrogen into practice. If we are to decarbonise homes, businesses and heavy industry across Wales then we need to get moving on the infrastructure now.”
The proposed scheme is being backed by the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC), which was formed in 2019 with 17 partners working on feasibility studies for specific projects that will reduce emissions.
Its head of industrial decarbonisation, Chris Williams, said: “This proposed hydrogen pipeline will unlock opportunities for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and help ensure that renewable development is maximised for the benefit of industry in South Wales.
"Hydrogen 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 hydrogen 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.”
