CATF Response to UK consultation on hydrogen blending into GB gas distribution networks

CATF opposes the UK government's consultation on hydrogen blending into gas networks, stating that low-carbon hydrogen is too scarce and expensive to be used for residential heating or minimal GHG reductions in power generation. They recommend prioritising 'no regrets' industrial sectors, such as refineries and ammonia producers, and using electrolytic hydrogen from curtailed electricity for long-duration energy storage instead of grid injection.

• Blending low-carbon hydrogen into natural gas pipelines is viewed as a waste of a scarce commodity that hinders economy-wide decarbonisation. CATF notes that over 95% of current hydrogen production comes from unabated steam/autothermal methane reforming (SMR), and water electrolysis accounted for only 0.1% of global production in 2022.
• Low-carbon hydrogen should be prioritised for 'no regrets' end-use sectors where no alternatives exist or are less feasible, specifically industrial consumers like ammonia producers and refineries that require a steady feedstock supply.
• Using the natural gas grid as a hydrogen off-taker risks distorting the market and undermining project bankability. CATF suggests the UK Government should instead support connections between producers and priority industrial off-takers and consider statutory limits on grid injections.
• Hydrogen produced from curtailed renewable electricity is better suited for long-duration energy storage within an integrated power system design than for injection into gas distribution networks.
• Hydrogen blending for residential heating is considered neither sensible nor safe due to high leakage susceptibility and a flammability range six times that of natural gas. CATF highlights that alternatives like heat pumps and district heating are more efficient and economic.
• Blending hydrogen into the gas grid for power generation yields minimal environmental benefits; a 20% volume blend in a natural gas combined cycle plant reduces lifecycle GHG emissions by only 7% compared to unabated natural gas.

APA

Tremain, R., Carr, A., Wakim, G., & Field, M. (2024). CATF Response to UK consultation on hydrogen blending into GB gas distribution networks. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/resource/catf-response-to-uk-consultation-on-hydrogen-blending-into-gb-gas-distribution-networks/

Chicago

Tremain, Rebecca, Alex Carr, Ghassan Wakim, and Maggie Field. CATF Response to UK consultation on hydrogen blending into GB gas distribution networks. Clean Air Task Force, 2024. https://www.catf.us/resource/catf-response-to-uk-consultation-on-hydrogen-blending-into-gb-gas-distribution-networks/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Tremain |first1=Rebecca |last2=Carr |first2=Alex |last3=Wakim |first3=Ghassan |last4=Field |first4=Maggie |title=CATF Response to UK consultation on hydrogen blending into GB gas distribution networks |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.catf.us/resource/catf-response-to-uk-consultation-on-hydrogen-blending-into-gb-gas-distribution-networks/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{tremain2024catf, author = {Tremain, Rebecca and Carr, Alex and Wakim, Ghassan and Field, Maggie}, title = {{CATF Response to UK consultation on hydrogen blending into GB gas distribution networks}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://www.catf.us/resource/catf-response-to-uk-consultation-on-hydrogen-blending-into-gb-gas-distribution-networks/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }