Assurance provider DNV has been appointed by gas distribution firm Cadent to oversee the front-end engineering design (FEED) for the first phase of the H2East pipeline, a 93-mile (150km) project stretching from the Humber to Nottinghamshire.

The H2East pipeline represents a foundational segment of the United Kingdom’s proposed hydrogen transmission network. 

The project is designed to link hydrogen production sites with industrial hubs, supporting efforts to decarbonize heavy industry while bolstering regional energy security.

Cadent recently secured £96 million in funding from Ofgem, the government energy regulator, to advance the design of the broader East Coast Hydrogen Pipeline. 

The H2East project is a primary component of this initiative, with the officials expecting the development, planning, and consent process to span approximately five years.

The initial engineering phase will connect hydrogen production facilities—including those operated by Uniper and HyMarnham—to demand centers in South Humberside and Nottinghamshire. 

By establishing this underground infrastructure, the project aims to facilitate low-carbon dispatchable power and provide the scale necessary for industrial clusters to transition away from fossil fuels.

DNV’s role involves reviewing and assuring the work of the FEED contractor. The firm will verify that the pipeline design is technically robust and meets the unique safety and performance standards required for hydrogen transport.

"This project matters especially because hydrogen infrastructure must be engineered for a system that does not yet fully exist," said Hari Vamadevan, DNV’s regional director for the UK and Ireland.

DNV plans to utilize its specialized testing facilities to model material performance and safety. 

By addressing technical uncertainties during the design stage, the firm aims to prevent costly future redesigns and ensure the infrastructure meets regulatory and financial scrutiny.

The project is also expected to create long-term employment opportunities throughout the region as the UK seeks to scale its hydrogen transport capacity.