It has been at the heart of the UK’s energy supply for almost half a century.
But Bacton Gas Terminal - which provides a third of the UK’s natural gas - is at risk of redundancy in a post-carbon world.
Now, a powerful group of politicians and industry leaders have outlined plans to repurpose the site to not just keep it at the centre of the country's energy infrastructure but allow it to become a global leader in clean energy.
They believe the plant can be transformed into a 'hydrogen hub', for the production and distribution of the gas, as well as a centre for 'carbon capture', a technology for storing harmful CO2 emissions.
The scheme would further cement Norfolk's place at the heart of the renewable energy revolution, which suffered a setback on Thursday when work on a major wind farm off the coast was halted over rising costs.
By contrast, the Bacton project took a significant step forward this week, with a summit convened at Parliament by North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, bringing industry experts and local councillors together to steer the vision to reality.
BACTON BACKGROUND
The gas complex sits on the coast, just metres from the beach, on a site roughly 180 acres in size –around 120 football pitches.
It opened in 1968, to handle the gas which was starting to be extracted from the North Sea in increasing volumes.
Ever since, it has played a vital role not just in supplying the UK but also Europe, as the only two pipelines connecting Britain to the continent come ashore at the site.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, it has played an increasingly pivotal role in providing energy security for European countries, sending record amounts of gas across the North Sea to make up for reduced Russian supplies.
During the winter, about 20.5 trillion cubic meters of gas had been piped over to Europe, four times the typical volume, accounting for about a fifth of the continent’s gas stocks.
HYDROGEN HOPES
Experts believe hydrogen energy could be increasingly used as an alternative to fossil fuels, as it does not give off CO2 when it burns. It can be made from water, using electrolysis, or from natural gas.
National Gas, which owns and operates the national network, believes Bacton is “exceptionally well placed” to become a future site for hydrogen production, because of its connections to existing natural gas sources.
Jake Tudge, director of corporate affairs at National Gas, said: “Hydrogen has the potential to play a crucial role in Britain’s transition to net zero, providing a clean, secure domestic energy source.
“Bacton Gas Terminal has powered Britain for 50 years and now has the opportunity to establish itself as a global leader in hydrogen energy, helping to drive Britain towards net zero.
“We need more home-grown energy options to build a reliable supply that offers customers and businesses choice.”
Duncan Baker said Bacton could be a “global player” but first the government must pass the Energy Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament.
The legislation will create the framework for industrial carbon capture and storage as well as hydrogen production.
If it passes, Mr Baker wants to raise the profile of Bacton, so it is at the top of the government’s list.
But he warned that it would be a transition would not happen overnight.
He said: “Nothing will happen in the immediate future, but we want Bacton to be at the top of the pile. We've got legislation and regulatory constraints that need to be worked through.
“In honesty, it will take some time to transition to full hydrogen.”
Mr Baker hoped the government would make a decision about whether Bacton could be a hydrogen hub in the next 18 months, but it would be a “number of years” before the infrastructure started to take shape.
HOW GREEN IS IT?
Initially, Bacton is expected to generate hydrogen using North Sea natural gas - a product branded 'blue hydrogen'.
The process produces CO2, but this can be 'captured' and stored underground, to prevent harmful emissions.
The technology is not without its critics.
Some environmental groups argue that this type of energy is still harmful to the environment and that the move should be toward 'green hydrogen', which is made by splitting water using electricity from renewable sources.
While Mr Baker hopes the hub will eventually produce green hydrogen, he argued it was a transitional process.
HOW WOULD NORFOLK BENEFIT?
The government has estimated that by 2030 there could 12,000 jobs in hydrogen and a further 50,000 in carbon capture and storage.
Kay Mason Billig, the leader of Norfolk County Council, welcomed the Bacton proposals but said she wants to see some of the energy produced at Bacton stay in the county.
“I’m greatly encouraged, this could be a very exciting project for Norfolk,” she said.
“If we can have this energy hub in our area on the back of it, we should see a growth in our economy, in our skills and in jobs.
“The energy that comes from Norfolk goes straight through. This time we want some of that to help us attract new industries [and support existing ones].
“You are not going to be able to drive large agricultural machinery on electricity, not everything can go like that, but hydrogen could power them.
“We can produce something for our farmers that helps cement the agricultural industry in Norfolk, which is absolutely vital.”
Wendy Fredericks, the deputy leader of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), said she was “delighted” the region was being suggested for the hub, but said there had to be benefits for residents, particularly in terms of job opportunities and training.
“What I’ve asked for is that we get the benefits of this as well, we don’t want to just be a ‘motorway’ for renewables which we have been before,” she said.
NNDC recently set up a fund to commission independent research into the future challenges and opportunities at Bacton Gas Terminal.
WHAT ROLE FOR HYDROGEN?
While some industry groups have been pushing for hydrogen to replace natural gas in home boilers, its role is looking increasingly uncertain.
Representatives from National Gas said up to 20pc hydrogen could be mixed in with gas without the need for homeowners to refit their boilers.
But Grant Shapps, the energy minister, has indicated that fully hydrogen boilers are now “less likely” due to growing concerns about cost and safety.
Critics have said hydrogen boilers are unsafe, because they can be leakier and combustible, and instead homes should use heat pumps.
Opposition has been so fierce that Mr Shapps has cancelled a pilot scheme in a Cheshire village which would have seen all homes changed to a hydrogen boiler.
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