Wales & West Utilities has completed an 11-month study examining the UK’s last major gas transition – and what it means for today’s industrial and commercial (I&C) customers – as the energy systems move towards Net Zero.
The project builds on the success of WWU’s earlier Lessons Learnt from the Past research, which explored the impact of the 1967-1977 conversion from town gas to natural gas, on domestic customers.
The latest phase focusses specifically on industrial and commercial users and the implications of a potential future transition to green gases such as hydrogen and biomethane.
The new study highlights the scale of the challenge and opportunity for the I&C sector.
The report shows that industrial and commercial conversion to a greener gas across industrial and commercial users is both a realistic and attractive pathway to a greener future. This is providing there is early investment in specialist knowledge, and robust planning.
Lewis Garvey, Net Zero Planning & Technologies Manager at Wales & West Utilities, said: “With industrial decarbonisation being such a priority in the journey to Net Zero, and ongoing questions about how hard-to-abate industries will decarbonise their processes, this study shows that large-scale change of the gas network is possible.
“We were astounded by the reception of the first Lessons Learnt project, with interest coming from all areas of the industry and beyond.
“With clear decisions and planning, alongside Government support and public engagement, it is entirely achievable to deliver a switchover to an alternative fuel.”