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“Tomorrow’s heat is today’s opportunity” for reducing The pathway is a holistic one, based
carbon emissions from our homes, say Britain’s five gas on the principle that if the challenges
network companies as they publish the work programme of decarbonisation are interconnected
for Energy Networks Association’s Gas Goes Green and interdependent, then so must their
solutions. It sets out a vision of how
programme for the rest of 2021 hydrogen and biomethane, working
in close partnership with increased
he Gas Goes Green pathway to out how hydrogen and biomethane electrification of our energy system,
net zero is the gas networks’ mean that “tomorrow’s heat is today’s could save around £13 billion a year
response to the need to replace opportunity”. This includes: compared to an alternative pathway
the natural gas that 85 per How gas network plans will reduce that relies on electricity alone.
T cent of Britain’s homes rely carbon emissions from Britain’s homes The pathway is based on Britain’s gas
upon for their heating, hot water and in a way that means we can use our networks working together to deliver
cooking with a greener alternative. heating, hot water and cooking as we’re six key stages:
The programme is making the changes used to, using people’s existing central 2020 - 2024
needed to convert Britain’s £24 heating systems to help keep bills down. 1. Planning and research – to prepare for
billion of gas network infrastructure How gas network innovation projects a transition away from natural gas.
to run on hydrogen and biomethane are using Britain’s world-leading 2021 - 2026
instead, helping support green jobs expertise so gas networks can 2. Facilitating connections of more
and investment in industry and offices deliver hydrogen to Britain’s homes, hydrogen and biomethane production
around the country. businesses and industry safely – sites to the gas grid.
As the programme continues to whilst maintaining secure energy 2026 - 2032
progress through the first planning and supplies for us all. 3. Helping create new sources of
research step of its six-step pathway, it How hydrogen in Britain’s homes, biomethane and hydrogen.
will also begin the work on its second businesses and industry will lead to 2030 onwards
step, facilitating the connection of more green investment in communities 4. Expanding the use of hydrogen
green gas. Highlights of this year’s around the country, supporting green and biomethane - from industry and
activity include: jobs and skills in industry. transportation to commercial and
Detailed plans for how gas networks residential consumers.
will deliver the Prime Minister’s Chris Train OBE, ENA’s Green Gas 2030s - 2040s
target of blending up to 20 per cent Champion, said: “With high ambitions 5. Joining up those parts of the country
hydrogen into Britain’s gas network ahead of COP26 later this year, it has using hydrogen and biomethane, through
from 2023, so Britain’s homes can never been truer to say that tomorrow’s the National Grid.
reduce their carbon emissions by the heat is today’s opportunity. These plans By 2050
equivalent of 2.5 million cars a year – set out how Britain’s gas networks 6. The world’s first fully functioning zero
all without changing their household can reduce carbon emissions from carbon gas grid, using 100 per cent low
appliances. Britain’s homes through the work carbon gases.
Putting in place the right licensing they are delivering, and the exciting
arrangements to build the opportunities that lie ahead of us as we WHAT ARE THE PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES?
infrastructure needed for the use take the next steps on that journey.” Gas Goes Green co-ordinates the
of hydrogen in Britain’s industrial Laura Sandys, Non-Executive Director activity of Britain’s £24 billion of gas
heartlands, supporting energy intensive at SGN & Energy System Catapult, network infrastructure, to meet the
industries as they decarbonise. Using added: “Heat is the really heavy lifting challenges of climate change, whilst
hydrogen to decarbonise industry challenge we need to address to reach supporting policy decisions to deliver
could create 43,000 UK jobs by 2050, net zero. Hydrogen needs to play a the decarbonised gas we need.
according to research by consultants central role to deliver across so many By following the Gas Goes Green
Element Energy. uses, and the gas networks are playing a pathway to net zero, the networks will:
Boosting British biomethane crucial role in providing the pathway for Demonstrate the role of gas in meeting
production, creating new green hydrogen to deliver decarbonised heat net zero emissions and the UK’s
gas markets for farmers and other with the least disruption to consumers.” carbon budgets and the importance of
biomethane producers, by finding innovation and investment to deliver
ways to convert existing biogas THE PATHWAY TO NET ZERO against decarbonisation pathways.
power plants to inject biomethane The Gas Goes Green Pathway to Net Zero, Work across the networks to provide
into the gas grid instead – as well commissioned by Energy Networks a comprehensive view of key
streamlining the gas grid connection Association (ENA), developed in infrastructure changes required,
process for biomethane and hydrogen. consultation with industry partners taking a whole-systems approach
Biomethane alone could deliver a and academics and independently that recognises the interdependence
six per cent reduction in the UK’s peer-reviewed by Imperial College, of Britain’s energy and utility
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and sets out a clear pathway to 2050 for infrastructure.
provide heating for 6.4 million homes. how Great Britain can replace methane Launch new projects in specific
natural gas with a combination of areas to address new challenges and
With a growing focus on the hydrogen and biomethane. opportunities for net zero emissions.
government’s future decision on home It also sets out how a zero carbon Articulate what the Gas Goes Green
heat decarbonisation, the programme gas grid can work with other parts of vision will deliver for Britain’s nations
will be accompanied by events, the energy industry to reduce carbon and regions.
webinars and digital activity setting emissions. Identify policy, regulatory, skills and

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