Redcar rolls out safety survey for hydrogen revolution

Heating homes and powering industry with gas are currently responsible for up to a quarter of the country’s carbon emissions.

More than 300 properties in Redcar have been issued with Gas Safe certificates and had property surveys completed as part of the region’s hoped-for hydrogen revolution.

The North of England’s gas distributor Northern Gas Networks (NGN), announced back in May that it was exploring plans to bring hydrogen for heating and cooking to some areas of Redcar after being given the go-ahead by government and energy regulator Ofgem to develop its proposals to create the UK’s first hydrogen village.

Since then, engineers have been carrying out free surveys and issuing Gas Safe certificates to homes and businesses in Warrenby, Coatham and parts of Kirkleatham – hitting the 300 milestones ahead of schedule.

The Redcar Hydrogen Community proposal involves switching the gas supply from natural gas to clean-burning hydrogen for around 2,000 homes and businesses in parts of Redcar, including the town centre, Warrenby, Coatham and an area of Kirkleatham from 2025, with a decision about whether the project will progress due to made in 2023.  The surveys form part of the detailed design, which will be submitted in support of NGNs bid alongside information about how the hydrogen will be produced and supplied.

The plans involve producing hydrogen in Teesside, meaning Redcar would be self-sufficient, generating its own hydrogen locally from renewable sources.

To achieve the net zero carbon emissions target by 2050, the government and industry are exploring the option of repurposing the UK’s gas network to transport 100% hydrogen.

Fergal O’Donovan, NGN’s Hydrogen Programme Manager, said: “We’re delighted that so many residents and business owners are playing their part in supporting us to secure investment in hydrogen for Redcar by signing up for a survey of their property.

Back to top button