Scottish engineering major Wood has been awarded three contracts covering a dedicated hydrogen pipeline in the UK.
The landmark deal will see Wood undertake front-end engineering design (FEED) studies, carry out the pipeline consenting process and also take on responsibility for environmental assessment for the 85-kilometre line.
The contracts were awarded by Cadent for the HyNet North West project that aims to develop a lower carbon economy in north west England and North Wales by reducing industrial carbon dioxide emissions by 10 million tonnes per year by 2030.
This project was one of two carbon capture and storage projects that were selected by the UK government earlier this month for accessing a £1 billion $1.37 billion) pot of government funding.
From 2025, the project aims to produce, store and distribute hydrogen, as well as capture carbon onshore and store it offshore in redundant gas fields.
As part of the scope of work, a multidisciplinary Wood team will lead the design, consenting and consultation of the new hydrogen pipeline and above-ground installations.
Wood will also provide land rights consultation and engagement services to support the application for consent.
Initially, the pipeline will carry blue hydrogen generated from natural gas, but the project proponents state that their intention is for it to eventually handle green hydrogen generated from renewable energy sources.
Wood's head of hydrogen Josh Carmichael said: “Together with our clients, we’re driving hydrogen production and distribution at pace and at an industrial scale as one of the mission-critical pathways to a more sustainable future."
"Industries and clusters will be key to catalysing the hydrogen industry in the UK, and we are excited to be a part of this leading project."
Wood has been supplying hydrogen production units globally for more than 60 years.
According to London-based WSP, that carried out feasibility studies on the pipeline, it will be centred on the Stanlow refinery at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire and extended in phases that will see it stretch from north east Wales to Manchester and north of Liverpool.
