Northern Gas Networks has unveiled plans for two underground pipelines totaling 107 miles to connect major industrial hubs in the Humber and Teesside regions with low-carbon hydrogen.

The proposal features a 39-mile Teesside pipeline running from Newton Aycliffe to Skinningrove and a 68-mile Humber route connecting Saltend to Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire.

Viewed by experts as the future backbone of a British hydrogen transmission network, the new and repurposed infrastructure will form a critical segment of the larger 93-mile East Coast Hydrogen project led by Cadent and National Gas.

The project is backed by a 96 million-pound ($127 million) funding package from the UK energy regulator Ofgem to finance the engineering, design, and public consultation phases.

With the project already in early-stage planning, Northern Gas Networks aims to secure a development consent order from government ministers to streamline the regulatory process. If approved, construction and connection are scheduled to begin in the 2030s.

Proponents say the infrastructure is vital for decarbonizing heavy industry. Camila Blanco, project manager, noted that industrial customers consume large amounts of gas and require access to hydrogen to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions.

For example, the Wienerberger UK and Ireland brick-making plant in Broomfleet consumes up to 100 gigawatt-hours of energy annually from natural gas, while the Teesside Beam Mill steel reheating plant has relied on natural gas for 70 years.

While Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen insisted "the future of hydrogen is happening in Teesside," the region’s energy reputation suffered a setback in December when BP withdrew from the H2Teesside blue hydrogen venture. However, supporters believe approving the East Coast pipeline will restore regional momentum.

Despite massive support for the project, Northern Gas Networks must still clear significant policy, financial, and community engagement hurdles before the project can officially break ground.