To achieve the UK governments Net Zero by 2050 targets and decarbonise UK’s the energy network the use of hydrogen is a potential solution. However, to enable the widespread uptake of hydrogen across the UK there is a need to establish sufficient hydrogen storage facilities to minimise any risk to the nation’s energy security.

A solution to this is large scale, seasonal hydrogen storage in geological formations. However, to progress project planning and delivery around potential storage sites, a comprehensive understanding of property rights and land consenting needs to be developed.

This project seeks to establish the planning, consenting and regulatory requirements surrounding the development of subsurface hydrogen storage infrastructure across Scotland, England, and Wales.

This project will provide insight into any legal restrictions surrounding hydrogen storage and will facilitate the identification of potential pushbacks in decarbonisation objectives and strategy.

Benefits

This project aims to conduct a legal assessment of existing legislation to identify how SGN can approach the planning and development of large-scale hydrogen storage facilities to meet its strategic needs. The focus will be placed on property, consenting and regulatory processes involved in this activity. Whilst the technical feasibility of subsurface hydrogen storage is being researched extensively, this project will help to identify any potential push backs in implementing geological storage when considering legality of operations. The findings will be applicable across all the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) and will provide a basis for all gas storage operators and developers to work from. 

Furthermore, the findings will help to ensure the energy security of the nation as they will help to focus business strategy on sites that are both technically and legally feasible which will in turn quicken the project delivery process. Faster project delivery will allow the integration of hydrogen storage projects as early as possible which will help to work towards decarbonising the network by ensuring security of supply.