Member Article

“One of the smoothest operations of the kind”: how historic changes to our gas system can light the way for the future

Wales & West Utilities has today launched its findings from the Lessons Learnt : Past Energy Transitions in the Gas Industry project, conducted with WSP and Northern Gas Networks.

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. Over ten years, 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.

As the UK works to reduce its carbon emissions, the energy industry is faced with another transition. In the 1970s, Government called the conversion “one of the smoothest operations of the kind in the world” – and this report highlights the learning that could be applied to a future transition, including replacing natural gas with clean hydrogen.

Supported by Ofgem’s innovation allowance, the Lessons Learnt project reviewed how the gas industry converted customers across Britain from town gas – a blend of gases including hydrogen, to natural gas. Challenges overcome included technical, logistical, financial, training and communication barriers to successfully delivery the transition.

The research team, WSP, took a deep dive into the published literature of the time, sourced from books, industry reports, journals and wider media such as newspapers, films and television footage. They also conducted interviews with those involved in the conversion.

The outcomes of the research will be used to inform gas distribution networks and the wider gas industry on the decisions, processes and impacts of the conversion to natural gas. This in turn should benefit customers as part of any future transition to hydrogen.

Sarah Williams, Director of Regulation, Asset Management and HS&E said:

“Delivering Net Zero means changing how we make, move and use energy across the UK. Learning lessons from the past gives us a better chance of delivering a smooth future energy transition.

“The natural gas rollout in the 1960s and 70s faced major logistical and communication challenges, affecting millions of households and businesses, but ultimately was recognised for its remarkable success.

“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 report and summary document can be found here: This project is supported by the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA). Over 2022/23, WWU started 19 new projects, funded by a total investment of £2.2 million, including £1.5m of Network Innovation Allowance funding. A further 38 projects are planned for the rest of 2023 into 2024.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nathan Stenett .