UK’s National Gas has announced plans to construct a 300-mile (483 kilometres) underground hydrogen pipeline across the East Coast of England, marking the first phase of a proposed national network designed to decarbonize British industry.

Announced on Wednesday, March 18, the project, titled Project Union: East Coast, serves as the backbone of a "clean-energy corridor" stretching from Teesside through Yorkshire and the Humber into the East Midlands. 

By connecting major industrial hubs, the operator aims to create a pathway for heavy industries that are difficult to electrify to transition to low-carbon fuel.

"This is a hugely significant moment in Britain’s energy transition," said Ian Radley, Chief Commercial Officer at National Gas. "The East Coast is the natural place to start. It’s one of Britain’s most important industrial heartlans with enormous hydrogen potential."

Project Union aims to eventually create a 1,500-mile network by repurposing existing natural gas infrastructure and constructing new pipelines. The initiative aligns with the U.K. government’s target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Based on initial analysis, the project could deliver significant economic benefits, including the creation of up to 3,100 jobs, adding about £300 million ($390 million), and strengthening long-term energy independence through home-grown low-carbon fuel.

The pipeline will integrate with the "Humber Hydrogen" cluster, a partnership involving Centrica, Equinor, and SSE Thermal. 

It also forms part of East Coast Hydrogen, a wider collaboration with Northern Gas Networks and Cadent.

The project is currently in a two-year Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase, which includes environmental assessments and routing. 

In November 2025, the regulator Ofgem confirmed £164 million (about $218 million) in funding for National Gas projects to advance the network.

National Gas expects to launch a public consultation later this year to gather feedback on the proposed route and infrastructure before moving toward construction.