Brigg Breakthrough: Hydrogen Blending Powers Up UK’s Net Zero Ambitions

Centrica and National Gas have successfully completed a landmark trial, marking the first time hydrogen has been blended into the National Transmission System (NTS).

The trial took place last week [on 9 October] and involved National Gas injecting a 2% blend of green hydrogen into the gas grid, before being blended with natural gas to generate power at Centrica’s Brigg Power Station – producing electricity directly into the power grid. This ‘real life’ UK first test shows the end-to-end potential of Hydrogen to decarbonise critical energy infrastructure.

This key milestone means British power stations, particularly those that provide flexible backup electricity when demand is high or renewable generation is low, can successfully accept hydrogen blends into their operating units. The trial proves that blending is both technically and operationally viable, offering a practical solution to support the UK’s mission for Clean Power by 2030.

“As winter approaches, we know that rising household bills are a real worry for many people across the UK. We want our customers to know that we’re here to support them."

Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, which owns British Gas

Beyond power generation, blending offers wider benefits for the UK’s hydrogen economy. It creates new strategic market opportunities and demand for hydrogen producers, giving them the certainty they need to invest, which will provide new skilled job opportunities as well as making a significant contribution to UK economic growth. The trial comes alongside the completion of a government consultation on hydrogen blending into the gas network, in which the government is proposing blending up to 2% hydrogen to support the development of the UK’s hydrogen economy and decarbonise the gas grid.

National Gas has already successfully tested various hydrogen blends in a controlled environment using decommissioned sections of the NTS as part of its FutureGrid project in Cumbria. Together with Centrica, the two companies are urging the Government to provide a strategic policy decision for hydrogen blends of up to 5%. This would maximise the potential of blending, support greater investment and market certainty, while requiring minimal additional technical modifications.

Chris O'Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, said: “This successful trial marks a significant milestone in the development of the UK’s hydrogen economy – an essential piece of the puzzle in the UK’s journey to a low carbon, homegrown energy system. A whole system approach to reaching net zero and realising an emissions free hydrogen network' is where we want to get to and why we want to help production and demand scale up through blending. Not only does this enhance our energy security, it also ensures we can power the UK when the sun doesn’t shine, and the wind doesn’t blow.

The results of this trial are especially exciting as we push to develop a world-leading hydrogen economy right here in the Humber – with the proposed expansion of our Green Hydrogen production facility at Easington and the development of the Humber Hydrogen Pipeline. If Government can seize this opportunity hydrogen can turbocharge economies like the Humber, creating jobs, boosting economic growth, and ensuring communities across the area remain at the heart of the UK’s energy transition.”

Jon Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer of National Gas, said: “This trial is a further demonstration of hydrogen blending in practice, building on the recent success of our FutureGrid programme. It’s another crucial milestone on Britain’s hydrogen journey, showing how blending can fuel our power stations and unlock new investment opportunities for producers. By using our existing National Gas infrastructure, pipes that have reliably served Britain for decades, we can power the next era of clean British energy and industry. Working with industry and government, we're proud to be leading this effort to make hydrogen a cornerstone of our energy system.’’

Gary Smith, General Secretary of the GMB Union, said: "The success of this trial is a significant moment for our country’s energy future. It highlights the vital role that innovation across our industrial heartlands can play in creating ,highly skilled unionised jobs in working class communities, an essential part of any credible plan to meet our net-zero obligations.”

Notes to editors

• In 2023 the previous government consulted on the potential strategic and economic value of the blending of up to 20% hydrogen by volume into existing GB gas distribution networks and options for its implementation.
• The current Government opened the following consultation on 23 July 2025: Hydrogen blending into the GB gas transmission network: consultation document They confirmed they are seeking stakeholder views to help inform their assessment of the potential strategic and economic value of blending into the GB gas transmission network (National Transmission System [NTS]) and lead options for its implementation, if enabled.
• For wider context, the EU's Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package already establishes a harmonized approach for hydrogen blending into natural gas pipelines at cross-border interconnection points, with a 2% limit. Member States can exceed this limit through bilateral agreements, according to the European Commission.
• The UK's FutureGrid project by National Gas is an example of a transmission-scale offline trial. It used a decommissioned section of the National Transmission System to test various hydrogen blends (2%, 5%, 20%, and 100%) in a controlled environment. As the UK prepares for the transition to hydrogen, it is vital to demonstrate that the National Transmission System (NTS) and existing gas pipelines and assets can operate safely with hydrogen.
• As this is the first live trial in the UK at the transmission level, power generated has gone directly into powering homes and businesses.
• National Gas’ research shows a 5% blend on the NTS could allow producers to de-risk 100% of their offtake by 2028/29 resulting in 30% derisking by 2035 as more projects come online. This is compared to just 10% by 2035 under a 2% blend.

About National Gas

National Gas is the backbone of Britain’s energy system. We transport gas throughout Great Britain, repair and maintain gas pipelines, and manage the meters that allow power stations, businesses and millions of homes to access the energy they need. We are also proud to lead the way in transforming our national gas network for a clean energy future by developing our infrastructure to transport hydrogen and carbon dioxide across the country. We are Britain’s national gas network, providing secure energy to power the country, achieve net zero, and maintain our industrial competitiveness.

Source:Brigg Breakthrough: Hydrogen Blending Powers Up UK’s Net Zero Ambitions