Decarbonisation Technology November 2025 Issue

Clean power 2030: why green gases will be key to success Repurposing the UK’s existing gas infrastructure to support hydrogen and biomethane could provide a practical pathway for a clean energy system

Orlando Minervino Xoserve

A s the UK prepares the way for clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050, multiple technologies will be required to manage the low-carbon transition effectively. It is fair to say that when people think of net zero, the primary focus tends to be on electricity; however, this singular focus is limiting our green ambitions. Meaningful strides forward will require a ‘whole system’ approach, acknowledging that a diverse range of fuel sources and technologies are vital to success. There is no doubt that the development of green (low carbon intensity) gases offers a real opportunity to accelerate the UK’s energy transition and commit to a clean energy future. Continued investment in green energy sources such as hydrogen and biomethane is a key area of consideration, and the strategic decisions behind these transitions are where Xoserve offers its support. As the Central Data Services Provider (CDSP) to the industry, Xoserve can help ensure the energy system can meet future energy demand while prioritising these low- carbon alternatives. As this ‘whole system’ approach gains traction and wider recognition, the benefits of gas – both in the short and long term – are becoming clear. A recent and compelling example of the gas industry’s responsiveness to market changes is its role in addressing the surging power demands of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Data centres have increasingly opted for gas-powered combined heat and power (CHP) stations, partly due to the limitations of electricity and the capacity challenges it faces, resulting from the rapid growth of AI. The gas network’s inherent flexibility and resilience allow

it to meet these demands, which is just one example of how green gas can best support net-zero ambitions. This example also illustrates how the UK’s energy demands are changing, making it increasingly important to choose the right fuel sources and technologies to keep pace, while also ensuring that net-zero targets are met. The ‘whole system’ approach Of course, the ‘whole system’ approach leans into utilising diverse solutions. But in this multi- fuelled future, what are the credible options for the gas industry? Biomethane and hydrogen are viable low-carbon gas options with considerable growth opportunities. In its 2025 Future Energy Scenarios (FES), the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) projects that hydrogen could contribute between 98 and 325 TWh to the energy system by 2050, excluding the ‘Fallen Behind’ pathway. NESO projects that biomethane could meet up to 38% of gas demand by 2050, as overall demand declines. This growth would complement hydrogen by reducing the scale and speed of hydrogen deployment needed to achieve full decarbonisation. In 2024, 5.5 TWh of biomethane was injected into the gas grid; by 2050, this is expected to rise significantly to 64 TWh in the Holistic Transition pathway and 57 TWh in the Hydrogen Evolution pathway (see Figure 1 ). But what are the steps needed to create viable options for these low-carbon fuels? And how do we move forward to a fact-based, cost- benefit analysis of the gas network’s existing infrastructure?