UK's transmission system operator, National Gas, has formalized a strategic partnership with Dutch energy infrastructure company Gasunie to accelerate decarbonization efforts using a range of technologies, including natural gas, hydrogen, biomethane, and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The collaboration was cemented through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Luke Rowlands, National Gas' Business Development Director, and Bert Kiewiet, Gasunie's Head of Business Development International. 

This agreement underscores a shared commitment to developing multifaceted energy solutions.

"In its multi-faceted approach, the MOU recognizes that no single technology or pathway can address the complex challenges of climate change and the energy transition," National Gas stated. 

"Instead, our partnership invests in pragmatic research and development across various complementary routes."

The partnership builds on Gasunie's recent designation in 2024 by the Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Policy as the intended network operator for the future hydrogen network in the North Sea.

This latest agreement follows several other European collaborations for National Gas. The UK operator is also working with Germany's GASCADE to explore a hydrogen pipeline corridor between the UK and Germany in the North Sea. 

This project, known as the UK-Germany Hydrogen Corridor, aims to connect UK hydrogen production potential with German and continental European demand via GASCADE's AquaDuctus pipeline. 

Additionally, National Gas has a similar decarbonization exploration agreement with Belgium's Fluxys.