Whitby Hydrogen Village proposal

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Update: 29 March 2023 – Cadent and British Gas have updated their offer to residents included in the Whitby Hydrogen Village area. Full details can be found on the Whitby Hydrogen Village website.



Whitby in Ellesmere Port is being considered as the UK's first hydrogen village, under proposals put forward as part of a Government-run competition, by gas distribution network Cadent. The area has been confirmed in a shortlist of two locations across the country being considered to be the first to use low carbon hydrogen on this scale for heating - Redcar in the North East is the other location being considered.

In Autumn 2023, Government will confirm which location the trial programme will go ahead in. Hydrogen would be supplied to that location from 2025 for the duration of the programme which would last two years - and will help UK Government decide how hydrogen could be used nationally.

A public engagement session about the proposed Hydrogen Village took place on Tuesday 28 February 2023 for the residents to have their say on the project and for people to hear from a range of experts about the proposal and ask them questions.

The session was webcast on the evening and can be viewed online. An excerpt of Andrew Lewis, Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council, explaining the Council’s position at the event can be viewed on the right hand side of this webpage.


Five tests set out by the Council

At the meeting the Council set out five tests that they are asking Cadent and the Government to meet.

  1. Public support – the Council will organise a public vote that we intend to hold in late summer, following the local elections. We will engage with stakeholders and residents about what form this will take, and the outcome will be fed back to Government to influence their decision in relation to the Hydrogen Village proposal.

  2. Price guarantee - we need confirmation that the unit costs of energy from hydrogen will be matched to natural gas (or less) for the duration of the trial, and beyond the trial if it is a success. And residents who take the electric only option must not end up with higher energy costs.

  3. A safety framework - we want a new regulatory framework from the Health and Safety Executive for the use of hydrogen in homes and businesses, and this must mirror the existing safety framework for natural gas. A low carbon electrical heating alternative must be made available for those who want it.

  4. A green hydrogen commitment - we want a commitment from Cadent that only hydrogen made from renewable energy will be supplied to properties in the hydrogen village.

  5. Local jobs for local people - we want a commitment from Cadent that local businesses will be part of an installation programme, and that any skilled jobs will be recruited from the local area, wherever possible, to grow our local economy.

Update: 29 March 2023 – Cadent and British Gas have updated their offer to residents included in the Whitby Hydrogen Village area. Full details can be found on the Whitby Hydrogen Village website.



Whitby in Ellesmere Port is being considered as the UK's first hydrogen village, under proposals put forward as part of a Government-run competition, by gas distribution network Cadent. The area has been confirmed in a shortlist of two locations across the country being considered to be the first to use low carbon hydrogen on this scale for heating - Redcar in the North East is the other location being considered.

In Autumn 2023, Government will confirm which location the trial programme will go ahead in. Hydrogen would be supplied to that location from 2025 for the duration of the programme which would last two years - and will help UK Government decide how hydrogen could be used nationally.

A public engagement session about the proposed Hydrogen Village took place on Tuesday 28 February 2023 for the residents to have their say on the project and for people to hear from a range of experts about the proposal and ask them questions.

The session was webcast on the evening and can be viewed online. An excerpt of Andrew Lewis, Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council, explaining the Council’s position at the event can be viewed on the right hand side of this webpage.


Five tests set out by the Council

At the meeting the Council set out five tests that they are asking Cadent and the Government to meet.

  1. Public support – the Council will organise a public vote that we intend to hold in late summer, following the local elections. We will engage with stakeholders and residents about what form this will take, and the outcome will be fed back to Government to influence their decision in relation to the Hydrogen Village proposal.

  2. Price guarantee - we need confirmation that the unit costs of energy from hydrogen will be matched to natural gas (or less) for the duration of the trial, and beyond the trial if it is a success. And residents who take the electric only option must not end up with higher energy costs.

  3. A safety framework - we want a new regulatory framework from the Health and Safety Executive for the use of hydrogen in homes and businesses, and this must mirror the existing safety framework for natural gas. A low carbon electrical heating alternative must be made available for those who want it.

  4. A green hydrogen commitment - we want a commitment from Cadent that only hydrogen made from renewable energy will be supplied to properties in the hydrogen village.

  5. Local jobs for local people - we want a commitment from Cadent that local businesses will be part of an installation programme, and that any skilled jobs will be recruited from the local area, wherever possible, to grow our local economy.