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Wales & West Utilities is launching the next phase of its Lessons Learnt: Past Energy Transitions in the Gas Industry project to learn from the historic gas conversion across the UK and inform the transition to a cleaner, greener energy system of the future.

The initial phase of the project started in 2023 and drew on the experience of converting the gas networks from town gas – a blend of gases including hydrogen - to natural gas in the 1960’s and 70’s. The final report covers all aspects of the conversion programme, which at the time, was hailed as “one of the smoothest operations of the kind*.

This next phase will take the learnings of phase one and focus on the industrial and commercial aspects of the conversion. This phase of work will be integral to our research, helping to inform the transition for the gas distribution network’s ‘hard-to-decarbonise' customers.

The project is supported by the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and has been commissioned in response to DESNZ, iGEM and industry feedback which calls for more in-depth research on aspects of the conversion following dissemination of the initial report completed, so that they can be used to support decisions on the future of energy in the UK, and the potential hydrogen conversion and usage.

Lewis Garvey, Regional Energy Planning Manager and Project Lead, explains:

Prior to the conversion in the early 1960s over 90% of the gas used in the UK was made from coal in local production plants and supplied through town and city networks. Then over a ten-year period, alongside the construction of a national system connecting regional networks, over 40 million appliances and 13 million customers were converted to natural gas from the North Sea and the world market.

The first part of the ‘Lessons Learnt’ project was informative, and this further phase will now look at aspects of the conversion, and current transitions in the energy industry, to help inform and share the way in which any future transitions of the gas industry are undertaken in the UK.

It’s a hugely important programme of work which will take a detailed look on how industrial and commercial conversion has been undertaken and will collate evidence on the physical aspect of conversion, as well as the financial aspect and impact of conversion on industries.

The project is commissioned by Wales & West Utilities and will be undertaken by WSP in partnership with SGN.

Rob Long, WWU Chief Operating Officer, continued:

We are working to deliver on Net Zero targets and must adapt how we make, move and use energy across the UK. And so, it’s vital that we learn from the past to deliver a smooth future energy transition in the UK.

The outcomes of this research are pivotal and will be used to inform gas distribution networks, and the wider industry, on those decisions and processes that were made and implemented and how they, in turn, impacted on the industrial and commercial landscape.

As we prepare for the future, the gas networks are looking at the role low-carbon hydrogen will play in replacing natural gas, to support industry and businesses and to offer consumer choice, delivering a reliable system that’s fit for the future. This report will help us deliver our next transition in the most cost-effective and least disruptive way for our customers.

The full 'Lessons Learnt from the Past' report can be found here. 

Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.