We provided local authorities, housing associations and building owners an update on our hydrogen heating plans and discussed the challenges faced in decarbonising their multi-occupancy buildings (MOBs), in a pair of online events held last week.
Our Future of Energy team is exploring the feasibility of repurposing existing gas network infrastructure to deliver hydrogen to many of the tens of thousands of MOBs across the UK. MOBs account for 21% of the UK’s domestic heating demand and tackling the challenge to decarbonise these properties will be key to meeting Government net zero targets.
The collaborative study by ROSEN, SGN and the other gas distribution networks, is gaining vital evidence to assess the feasibility of hydrogen to heat properties with three or more domestic dwellings or commercial units. This project will provide critical information to inform the Government’s Heat Policy decision in 2026.
Hydrogen offers future heating customers minimal disruption as existing gas infrastructure can be repurposed. Customers are also likely to experience a more reliable heating system that does not add strain to the electricity grid.
Study analysis and event discussions indicate that there is not a one size fits all approach for the country’s MOBs. It is likely a whole systems approach will be required to decarbonise blocks of flats and commercial units across the UK and we’re working to identify the building archetypes which will be suitable for hydrogen conversion.
Our Future of Energy Project Manager David Raymond said: “Understanding the challenges faced by local authorities and housing organisations regarding MOBs is crucial to finding optimal solutions to decarbonise communities, while keeping everyone safe and warm long into the future. We’re committed to ensuring methods to decarbonise these properties are practical, affordable and undisruptive for our customers.”
