Infrastructure
Sector | Infrastructure |
Sub-sector | Utilities |
Location | United Kingdom |
Recognising the current and future challenges posed by climate change to our environment and way of life, the UK Government in 2019 became the world’s first major economy to legislate that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to net zero by 20502. Achieving this ambitious goal will require a transformation of the economy and society, and a greater share of greener energy powering the UK’s continued development.
This important work, supported by Macquarie Asset Management and its co-investors, is seeking to deliver a more sustainable energy supply for the millions of customers that rely on Cadent’s network each day.
Cadent is fostering collaboration across the energy value chain to shape the future of gas, having led the UK’s first ever live demonstrations of a hydrogen blend in homes.
Cadent’s HyDeploy project, in conjunction with Keele University, successfully demonstrated how hydrogen can be safely blended up to 20 per cent volume with natural gas, utilising existing infrastructure as well as home cooking and heating appliances. In addition, Cadent has partnered with its peers to build the UK’s first hydrogen homes which feature boilers, hobs, and cookers fed by 100 per cent hydrogen3.
Outcome
In addition to Cadent’s exploration of a hydrogen economy, the UK’s largest gas network has also initiated a long-term investment programme to upgrade its network infrastructure. The initiative will see cast iron mains across its network, many of which were installed in the Victorian era, replaced with plastic pipes which will be more durable and able to carry a wider range of gases, including 100 per cent hydrogen in the future.
Cadent has invested around £3 billion towards upgrading its network since the Macquarie-led consortium acquired the company in 2017.
With more than a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions originating from the provision of heat to homes and businesses, it is essential that energy networks play a leading role in decarbonising the economy5. However, this major transition must be delivered in a way that minimises disruption and cost to consumers, whilst maximising flexibility in the energy system over the long-term.
Mark Braithwaite
Senior Managing Director, Macquarie Asset Management