The North of England’s gas distributor, Northern Gas Networks has opened a Hydrogen Hub on Redcar High Street to give customers the opportunity to learn more about its proposal for some areas of the town to use locally-produced hydrogen for heating, instead of natural gas.

The Redcar Hydrogen Community proposal is currently being developed by NGN and the Hydrogen Hub will serve as an information point for Redcar customers to learn more about hydrogen and the role it can play in tackling climate change, and what the investment would mean for Redcar residents and business owners.

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To progress its plans, Northern Gas Networks is currently liaising with hydrogen producers and developing its strategy for the production, storage and delivery of the hydrogen that would be used to heat the homes.

In addition, homes and businesses in the area have been offered a free Gas Safe survey, which includes a gas safety certificate to build a picture of the gas appliances in the area today and business owners, residents and landlords have the opportunity to complete a research questionnaire to share their views on the proposal.

If approved, the gas supply would switch from natural gas to hydrogen for around 2,000 homes and businesses in parts of Redcar including the town centre, Warrenby, Coatham and an area of Kirkleatham from 2025.

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