National Grid to launch public consultation on pipelines project to support growth of local industry
National Grid is encouraging communities across the Humber to take part in its upcoming consultation on plans for major low carbon pipeline infrastructure from Drax to Easington, which could bring thousands of new jobs to the area while re-establishing the region as a globally competitive, climate-friendly hub for industry and innovation.
The consultation is due to launch on Monday 31 October and will run until 8.59am on Tuesday 29 November. The consultation will include drop-in events across the region for members of the public. Further information will be presented on the project website and in some local libraries.
The Humber Low Carbon Pipelines (HLCP) project consists of two underground pipelines – one to transport captured carbon dioxide emissions from major industrial emitters; the other to transport low carbon hydrogen for use as a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
The project forms part of a wider collaboration – called the East Coast Cluster – which unites both the Humber and Teesside regions with common infrastructure in order to decarbonise industry by enabling the removal of up to 50 per cent of the UK’s industrial cluster carbon dioxide emissions. HLCP project will provide the infrastructure in the Humber while a separate project will develop the infrastructure in Teesside.
Delivering the East Coast Cluster will provide opportunities for businesses throughout the supply chain and will create and support an average of 25,000 jobs per year between 2024 and 2050. The Cluster includes a diverse mix of low-carbon technologies which are essential for the UK to meet its net zero targets and kickstart a hydrogen economy. In October 2021, the Government recognised the immense potential of the regions, and it selected the East Coast Cluster as one of the UK’s first clusters ready to decarbonise industry by the mid-2020s.
Andy Benjamin, Director of Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage at National Grid Ventures said: “It’s vital for us to understand what local people think of our plans, and we look forward to meeting communities along the proposed route to share more about the project, answer questions and receive feedback. We’re encouraging everyone to come to one of the events or visit the website to take part.
"This project would provide the critical infrastructure to help protect and create skilled jobs across the Humber and is an important part of the Humber’s economic future.”
As part of the consultation, National Grid will be publishing the proposed pipeline route; the above ground infrastructure that will be required along the route and details of potential environmental impacts and management plans. These will be published from 31 October and local residents, landowners, businesses, organisations and others are invited to give written feedback ahead of the deadline of 8.59am on 29 November 2022.
The first stage of the consultation took place last year and the plans have been informed by feedback received during that period, alongside technical studies.
For more information on the project and to take part in the consultation from 31 October, please visit: www.nationalgrid.com/humberpipelines.
Anyone without internet access can also call the project team helpline on 0800 860 6255 or send correspondence via Freepost to: FREEPOST HLCP NATIONAL GRID.
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Note: The Humber Low Carbon Pipelines project forms the backbone of Zero Carbon Humber, part of the East Coast Cluster.
Contact for media information only:
Rebecca Lawlor
Notes to editors:
About National Grid Ventures
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National Grid Ventures operates outside of National Grid’s core regulated businesses in the UK and US where it develops, operates and invests in energy projects, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the development of our clean energy future.
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National Grid Ventures operates a diverse portfolio of energy assets across the UK and US, including subsea electricity interconnectors, competitive transmission, wind and solar generation, battery storage and LNG storage and regasification.
About National Grid
National Grid sits at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting millions of people and businesses to the energy they use every day. Our individual companies run the systems and infrastructure that deliver electricity across the country.
National Grid is pivotal to the energy systems in the UK and the north-eastern United States. We aim to serve customers well and efficiently, supporting the communities in which we operate and making possible the energy systems of the future.
National Grid in the UK
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We own and operate the electricity transmission network in England and Wales, with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and demand. We also operate, but do not own, the Scottish networks. Our networks comprise approximately 7,200 kilometres (4,474 miles) of overhead line, 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) of underground cable and 342 substations.
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Other UK activities mainly relate to businesses operating in competitive markets outside of our core regulated businesses; including interconnectors and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) importation terminal – all of which are now part of National Grid Ventures. National Grid Property is responsible for the management, clean-up and disposal of surplus sites in the UK. Most of these are former gas works.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at https://www.nationalgrid.com/group/news.
National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.
