Energy, and the question of where we get it, has never claimed as many column inches as it does now.

Climate change is an increasingly urgent concern, while war in Ukraine has, at the same time, made the whole of Europe rethink every aspect of its energy landscapes. This is a critical moment to be working in the industry.

It is a privilege, then, for QEM to be working closely with companies moving at pace to make a positive and sustainable change. Cadent – the UK’s largest gas distribution network – is one of these and has engaged QEM to support their ambitious goal to develop the use of hydrogen.

With extensive experience of the critical early stages of large high-pressure pipeline projects, as well as expertise in delivering other hydrogen enterprises, QEM brings valuable insight to Cadent’s HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline and East Coast Hydrogen Pipeline projects. These complementary projects aim to design, consent and build new hydrogen pipelines across the Northwest and the Northeast of England. Incorporating hydrogen production, distribution, carbon capture and storage, they will work together to facilitate the decarbonisation of industry and unlock a low carbon future. Both projects present challenges familiar to the QEM team, whose provision of technical programme management services has provided a key support to Cadent’s ambitions.

Delivering bold initiatives like Cadent’s hydrogen projects exacts a huge demand on companies at every stage, so having high-calibre service providers on-side is crucial. For Cadent, QEM’s support has been particularly valuable in the critical initiation stages and the ‘heavy-lifting’ of project start-up. But it doesn’t stop there.

The task of transforming the UK’s natural gas network to hydrogen has many challenges ahead – nothing good ever came easy. But both Cadent and QEM know that a clean energy future, and a healthy, peaceful planet are goals well worth striving for.