WSP to play lead role in designing region’s new hydrogen pipeline

WSP, the engineering professional services consultancy, is leading on the conceptual design of a new hydrogen pipeline in the North West, supporting the UK’s target of Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

HyNet is the most advanced hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) project in the UK, and includes the development of a new hydrogen pipeline for the North West of England and North-East Wales, which WSP will be designing.

WSP employs more than 850 staff in Manchester.

HyNet represents the first piece of the UK’s CCUS infrastructure, identified by the Committee on Climate Change as a vital technology for achieving the ambitious emissions savings needed to meet the 2050 carbon reduction targets.

The pipeline will connect the hydrogen production plants with storage facilities in Cheshire and future users of clean hydrogen across the region.

WSP’s role will be to design the pipeline’s operational model, taking into consideration hydrogen flows, seasonal storage and AGI (above ground installation) requirements.

Ben Clarke, head of gas networks at WSP, said: “Hydrogen is quickly going to become a crucial element of clean energy supply in the UK and we need to embrace all opportunities to make the most of its potential to change the way we generate, distribute and consume energy.

“Designing infrastructure which is future-ready and will support the UK’s Net Zero 2050 target is truly exciting.”

WSP will be designing the pipeline for Progressive Energy, on behalf of Cadent, with the goal of the project being to reduce emissions from industry, homes and transport across the North West, supporting economic growth.

WSP, Progressive Energy and Cadent will be working closely with regional partners in the North West Hydrogen Alliance and beyond.