Blog: Lessons from the past can help shape the future of gas decarbonisation

The importance of planning

Professor Thomas emphasised that the most significant lesson is the importance of thorough planning. Drawing on the 1960s and 70s conversion from town gas to natural gas - the largest energy transition in Great Britain’s history - he explained, “if you didn’t plan, there was a high chance that you would fail”.

Safety, clear communication, and workforce training were also highlighted as critical factors. “You had to ensure the whole process was done with safety in mind,” Thomas said, noting that the original program also proved it was possible to switch between different types of gases - an encouraging precedent for today’s ambitions.

An energy historian, Professor Thomas recently completed phase two of an in-depth report into the transformation of the UK gas industry in the 1960s and 1970s. Commissioned by Wales & West Utilities, the ‘Lessons Learnt’ project was undertaken by researchers at WSP, in partnership with SGN, using Network Innovation Allowance funding.

Northern Ireland uniquely decommissioned its entire gas network in the 1970s due to the oil crisis and economic pressures. However here the outcomes would be rather stark; “It put the vulnerable at the greatest disadvantage,” Thomas recalled, as many were forced to switch to coal, worsening air pollution and creating new safety risks with alternative fuels like LPG. Decommissioning also had economic repercussions, with some businesses unable to bear the cost of conversion and ultimately shutting down or relocating.

Converting to hydrogen

As the UK contemplates conversion to hydrogen across industrial and commercial sectors, Thomas warned that, “industrial gas processes…tend to be very bespoke, so they need specialist knowledge to convert them”.  Unlike the past, when British manufacturers dominated the market, today’s reliance on overseas suppliers adds complexity. “Your ability to influence or control those overseas manufacturers to help you convert appliances would be much less than it was,” he noted.

Decommissioning also underscores the importance of robust data and policy certainty. “I’m not convinced anybody really knows what the population of gas appliances is, on the network,” Thomas said. “If you have poor data, then you’re going to end up with a very haphazard conversion strategy for customers, and that will lead to a great deal of unhappiness.”

Policy uncertainty, especially around hydrogen and biomethane, remains a challenge. “It’s that certainty that the whole project will be carried out that will perhaps give reassurance to those customers of the network,” Thomas explained, warning that wavering policy can drive investment away, as seen in Germany.

Looking abroad

Thomas pointed to Denmark, France, and the Netherlands as examples of countries taking diverse approaches to decarbonisation—whether through biogas, hybrid heat pumps, or heat networks. “It certainly isn’t a one size fits all,” he concluded. “We need the flexibility of a gas grid in the country and it will inevitably be here for a long time.”

As the UK continues on its net zero journey, the message from history is clear: success depends on planning, data, communication, and policy certainty - lessons as relevant today as they were half a century ago.

To listen to the full podcast, click on the link below.

The energy transition: A future informed by the past podcast

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