Uptake of green gases, like hydrogen and biomethane, for heat production will help the region of South Wales meet its net zero targets, a joint report by Regen, Western Power Distribution and Wales & West Utilities has found.
The analysis of South Wales’ electricity and gas networks pinpoints a hydrogen “switch over” as a key factor in decarbonising the region’s heating consumption.
The report focuses on decarbonising heat through “high electrification”, where heat demand is mainly electrified; “core hydrogen”, where hydrogen for heat is available only in urban areas; and “high hydrogen plus a hybrid heat sensitivity”, where hydrogen is available to all existing gas customers.
Wales & West Utilities energy strategy director Chris Clarke said: “Our view is clear: making use of our existing safe and reliable local gas networks is key to decarbonising not only home heating, but heavy industry too.
“Green gases like hydrogen and biomethane, alongside smart hybrid heating systems, will help Wales and the UK meet our net zero targets, while delivering what people want and need: energy that is safe, reliable and sustainable.”
Regen senior manager Poppy Maltby added: “The UK’s commitment to net zero by 2050 means that in 30 years’ time, we will need to have stopped burning unabated fossil fuels, and this truly seismic change will reinvent our relationship with energy.
“The energy networks, both electricity and gas, will be fundamental to supporting this transition. This net zero scenario analysis helps them understand and plan for how this transformational change could impact their operations in the short, medium, and longer term.”
Western Power Distribution network strategy manager Ben Godfrey said: “Although all regions will contribute to the net zero target, it is clear that each part of the UK will have different priorities, opportunities, and pathways.
“This integrated scenarios process for our South Wales licence area allows us to understand how the decarbonisation pathways might progress in South Wales and how the distribution energy networks may be interacting in the future.”