Wood will carry out a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for Centrica’s hydrogen storage project in the UK.

The consulting and engineering company will support Centrica Energy Storage (CES) as it aims to redevelop the UK’s Rough field as it transitions from natural gas storage to hydrogen.

The contract entails new pipelines, a new unmanned installation, as well as onshore injection facilities at the Easington Gas Terminal to make the reservoir hydrogen-ready. H2 View understands that when ready, the site has the potential to provide over half of the UK’s hydrogen storage requirements.

A final investment decision (FID) for the hydrogen storage project depends on a government support model that would underpin gas storage investment in the UK.

The Rough reservoir will be critical to both the UK’s long-term energy security and its industrial decarbonisation commitments, according to Steve Nicol, Executive President, Operations at Wood.

“Hydrogen, alongside offshore wind and carbon capture and storage is vital to the UK’s Net Zero ambition and will be key to decarbonising industries, transport and power,” he added.

“Wood’s strong heritage in the UK’s offshore and onshore sectors, combined with our deep domain knowledge and engineering expertise means we are uniquely placed to modify and redevelop existing infrastructure, providing safe, reliable energy for the UK’s future requirements.”

Martin Scargill, Managing Director at CES, said, “We are ready to invest in futureproofing this critical asset subject to agreeing a regulatory support model that would underpin gas storage investment in the UK.”

If Labour win this year’s General Election, they have committed to dedicate £500m for the development of the green hydrogen sector, with investments in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and marine energy to ensure the UK has long-term energy storage to meet demands.

Read more:£500m dedicated to green hydrogen under Labour Party manifesto