Update letter for residents in the Redcar Hydrogen Community
We’re currently out and about in Redcar delivering an update letter to customers – here is a copy
Dear Resident,
I am writing to update you on the Redcar Hydrogen Community project. We apologise that it’s been a while since you last heard from us – our proposal is still being considered by the government and we will let you know as soon as we hear back on the next steps.
As a reminder or in case you are new to the area, our project is aiming to convert the gas supply for around 1,800 homes in your area from natural gas to hydrogen. If given the go-ahead, we now expect the gas supply would switch in 2026 and everyone with gas appliances would need to switch to hydrogen or electric alternatives for heating and cooking at no charge.
As well as receiving free new appliances, which will be serviced at no cost, customers taking part will be able to earn up to £2,000 in participation payments and, as a lasting legacy, homes will be eligible for free energy efficiency measures, to reduce your energy use in the long term.
As the prime minister recently highlighted, it is vital that we retain choice in the way we heat our homes as we move towards our net zero targets and our project will provide vital evidence to inform the government about the future of the gas network.
Although Northern Gas Networks is not a gas supplier and you don’t pay us directly, we safely and reliably deliver your gas every day, no matter the weather. We would continue to make sure you receive hydrogen safely and will never install anything in or near your homes which is unsafe or does not work. The use of 100% hydrogen in people’s homes and businesses follows over five years of research, with the government’s safety regulator – the Health and Safety Executive – reviewing all the evidence.
Hydrogen doesn’t produce carbon dioxide emissions when burned, but can be used in the same way as gas now, making it a cleaner alternative that provides all of the comforts of gas with minimal changes made to your home. There are also plans to produce green hydrogen here in Teesside.
The project would bring wider benefits to the community too – including over £300 million of investment and at least 300 new jobs to Redcar and the Tees Valley, such as engineers, project managers and customer service representatives.
If you are new to our proposal, or if you have any questions about the project and what it means for you, please call in to see us at the Hydrogen Hub on the High Street every Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.
We can also arrange for a Customer Care Officer to visit your home or you can contact us on 0800 040 7766 or email redcar@northerngas.co.uk to speak to our team.
Thank you for your support and we hope to be able to provide a further update soon.
Regards
Tim Harwood
Hydrogen Programme Director