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WSP, supported by Kent, has been appointed to work alongside National Gas on Project Union East Coast, which is described as the first step in creating a core hydrogen network across Great Britain.

The appointment marks the start of front-end engineering design (FEED) phase for Project Union on the east coast of England.

WSP will lead a two-year programme of design, environmental assessment, consents, and public consultation. It will act as the FEED integrator, coordinating a multidisciplinary team that includes Kent, Murphy, Aecom and National Gas’s hydrogen teams, with the expertise of Premzero and National Gas Services.

Project Union plans to create a 1,500-mile core hydrogen network across Great Britain, starting on the East Coast initially linking Track-1 industrial clusters in the Humber and Teesside regions. Once operational, it will provide low-carbon hydrogen to power stations, industry and storage sites.

National Gas chief commercial officer Ian Radley said: “This is a key milestone for National Gas and our work in delivering the UK’s hydrogen future. The start of FEED for Project Union East Coast marks the transition toward delivery for this pioneering project.

“We’re not just planning pipelines – we’re building a cleaner, more resilient energy system that will protect skilled jobs and power our future economy, servicing industries that can’t electrify and providing clean dispatchable power to compliment renewables.”

WSP project director Ben Clarke added: “Delivering the FEED for the east coast phase means shaping a future hydrogen network, and that calls for early collaboration, technical excellence, and deep-rooted partnerships.

 “Through our role as integrator, we will help align delivery across this complex programme, ensuring the right infrastructure is in place to connect industry, communities and clean energy at scale.”

The appointments follow the recent confirmation of £96m in funding (in 2025/26 price base) from Ofgem for the East Coast Hydrogen programme, which includes Project Union East Coast.

East Coast Hydrogen is a partnership led by National Gas, Cadent and Northern Gas Networks, which aim to create a hydrogen network that will transport hydrogen fuel across the Northeast, the Humber, Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

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