East Coast Hydrogen Specialist Services Framework

Description

The ECH project is a collaborative initiative between NGN, National Gas Transmission (NGT) and Cadent, to develop a 100% hydrogen transmission and distribution network in the North East of England. The project will connect hydrogen producers, storage operators, and major industrial and commercial users, enabling large-scale decarbonisation of energy-intensive processes. NGN's network will link production facilities in Teesside and the Humber with industrial customers across the Humber, Yorkshire, Teesside, and South Tyneside regions. Following the successful completion of a feasibility study and pre-FEED, NGN has progressed into a two-year FEED phase. This stage will deliver the technical and commercial definition required to create a viable, investable solution for the project. NGN has secured funding for this phase and has finalised the delivery plan to ensure timely and efficient execution. The Pre-FEED identified development of a hydrogen network consisting of a mix of repurposed and newbuild pipelines, with: 285km being High Pressure (HP), 77km being Intermediate Pressure (IP) and 203km being Medium Pressure (MP) as well as 55 new or modified Offtakes and PRSs. As part of the early FEED activities, NGN is reviewing the Pre-FEED network and undertaking an options rationalisation exercise to define the connection points and the extent of the network which will then progress through the FEED. Following the successful completion of the FEED, the project will move into a Development Expenditure (Devex) phase where the FEED designs will be developed into fully detailed designs ready for construction, statutory consultations and DCO final applications will be undertaken and the project will be submitted into an allocation round of the Hydrogen Transport Business Model as well be seeking a Final Investment Decision from private investors. Beyond this, the project will move through the procurement, construction and operational phases. This framework agreement is to support the project through the FEED, Devex and future phases of the project.