A powerful consortium of energy leaders has launched a joint bid to transform the Humber into Britain's primary hydrogen hub.

Operating under the name Humber Hydrogen, National Gas has teamed up with Centrica, Equinor, and SSE Thermal to compete for the establishment of the UK's first integrated hydrogen transport and storage network.

The group's proposals, which include the Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage facility and the Humber Hydrogen Pipeline, will be submitted for the Government's Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model. A successful funding decision, estimated to be worth approximately £500 million, would provide the essential infrastructure required for large-scale hydrogen deployment across the country.

The proposed network aims to link hydrogen production with power stations and industrial customers across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. By connecting strategic sites such as Easington, Saltend, Aldbrough, Immingham, and Keadby, the project will create a first-of-its-kind coordinated system.

Key projects within the bid include the H2H Saltend and H2H Easington production plants, which together have the potential to produce up to 3GW of hydrogen. This regional infrastructure is also designed to integrate with a national transmission network currently being developed by National Gas to supply industrial clusters nationwide.

As the UK's most carbon-heavy industrial area, the Humber stands to benefit significantly from fuel switching. The transition to hydrogen would support hard-to-electrify sectors including steel, chemicals, heavy manufacturing, and power generation. Furthermore, the infrastructure would facilitate the production of sustainable aviation fuel and high-value commodities like ammonia.

Ian Radley, Chief Commercial Officer at National Gas said: "We believe the Humber is the obvious choice to be the home of Britain's first hydrogen network. Nowhere else in Britain can match what it offers in industrial demand, infrastructure, supply chains, geological storage and skilled people who can unlock Britain's clean power potential. Together with our partners we're bringing our expertise in transporting, manufacturing and storing hydrogen to keep the industrial heart of Northeast England beating."

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The bid has drawn widespread support from industry leaders and local representatives who view the project as essential for energy security and economic growth.

Kelly de Azevedo Dent, Development Director at SSE Thermal, said: "The Humber is integral to the UK's clean power and economic growth missions and becoming the country's first Hydrogen network will help to unlock its potential. The region is home to a wide range of projects across the hydrogen value chain, with these projects crucial to delivering skills and jobs opportunities in the area – that is why we've come together as Humber Hydrogen to drive progress forward."

Ian Livingston, Head of UK Hydrogen & Ammonia at Equinor, said: "We're proud to be part of the efforts to bring hydrogen infrastructure to the Humber and kick-start a new low-carbon economy in the UK's most carbon intensive region. The geology, concentration of industry and existing skills base make this the natural home for the UK's first hydrogen transport and storage network."

Martin Scargill, Managing Director of Centrica Energy Storage + at Centrica said: "Humber Hydrogen is a major opportunity for the UK to accelerate low carbon economic growth and strengthen its leadership in hydrogen. By backing the Humber, the Government can drive industrial decarbonisation, boost competitiveness, and create thousands of skilled jobs across a region that sits at the heart of the UK's energy system. Centrica has long invested in the people and infrastructure that make the Humber strategically vital to the UK economy and we're proud to work with our Humber Hydrogen partners to help deliver a cleaner, more resilient energy future."

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, said: "If the country is to take advantage of key technologies, reduce emissions, create jobs and cut bills, we need action. That's why we need the government to support hydrogen infrastructure in our area and bring investment back to the Humber."

Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said: "The Humber is the ideal place to locate the UK's first hydrogen network, given its geology, geography and the wide range of key industries on both banks of the Humber Estuary that can benefit from its use. Hydrogen will play a key role in the energy transition, helping major employers in this region to reduce emissions whilst retaining jobs and stimulating economic growth. We want to see the hydrogen economy kick-started here in the Humber."

Richard Gwilliam, Chair of the Humber Energy Board, said: "Backing plans to deliver hydrogen infrastructure in the Humber in 2026 would be a game-changing decision from Government which would support the transformation of the region's economy and enhance our critical role in providing energy security for the UK. This proposal, an essential part of long-held plans to create a low-carbon industrial cluster, is backed by experienced energy and infrastructure companies that are prepared to invest billions in the region, creating jobs and economic growth for decades to come. Now is the time for the Government to unlock the region's potential and re-energise the Humber."