HyNet North West and InterGen, an independent power producer, have released plans to collaborate on the creation of a zero-carbon power station that blends hydrogen with natural gas, at InterGen’s Rocksavage Power Plant in Liverpool City region.

It is anticipated that, by 2028, Rocksavage will have enough hydrogen produced by HyNet to move towards a 100% net zero power generation power station as the Gas Turbine technology becomes available.

This means that the Rocksavage plant could be the first in the UK to blend hydrogen with natural gas.

Expected to begin in the mid-2020s, the partnership could reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from the power station in Runcorn by over 150,000 tonnes annually, the equivalent of taking 60,000 cars off the road each year.

HyNet North West will begin decarbonising the North West and North Wales region from as soon as 2025, replacing fossil fuels currently used for electricity generation, industry, heating homes and transportation with clean hydrogen.

The project will also capture and lock up carbon which is currently emitted into the atmosphere.

The plans are part of an ever-growing list of benefits to the region from HyNet North West.

Situated across one of the UK’s largest industrial areas which supports the highest number of manufacturing jobs of any UK region, HyNet North West will bring clean growth to safeguard jobs, and create thousands of new employment opportunities.

Dan Fosberg, Plant Manager at InterGen’s Rocksavage, said, “Rocksavage has been safely generating energy to power the north west for nearly 25 years. But in order to meet the UK’s net zero targets, traditional generation needs to adapt.

“HyNet North West will allow us to pivot our operations as we transition to a low-carbon world. The proximity of the Rocksavage Power Plant to the HyNet North West hydrogen network provides us with an exciting and unique opportunity.

“As soon as the first stage of the hydrogen network is available at Runcorn, InterGen intend to modify the existing generating plant to consume a blend of hydrogen with natural gas and start to reduce our emissions.

“The HyNet North West project milestones mean that Rocksavage could be the first plant in the UK to blend Hydrogen with natural gas, a step forward for the industry in the target for net-zero.

“Once the gas turbine technology becomes available, we will explore options with HyNet North West to create a zero emissions power station using 100% hydrogen.”