Wales & West Utilities (WWU) 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 system moves 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. This 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.
Described at the time as “one of the smoothest operations of the kind”, the historical switchover saw more than 40 million appliances converted and 13 million customers transitioned to natural gas sourced from the North Sea, and world markets.
The new study highlights the scale of the challenge and opportunity for the I&C sector.
During the original programme, 2.2 million commercial appliances were converted, alongside bespoke industrial plant design – underlining the scale and detail required in the planning phases. Today WWU’s network serves 386,200 commercial and 57,371 industrial customers, with many relying on high heat and consistent energy supply.
Decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors means producers and transporters alike are considering the future of our energy networks. WWU is already transporting biomethane within its network to heat homes and businesses, however, the report concludes that larger-scale deployment of green gases will be required to support the transition.
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, 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."