DNV to Support Cadent in Delivering Safe and Scalable Hydrogen Infrastructure from Humber to Nottinghamshire

DNV to Support Cadent in Delivering Safe and Scalable Hydrogen Infrastructure from Humber to Nottinghamshire

(IN BRIEF) DNV has been appointed by Cadent as Owner’s Engineer for the Front-End Engineering Design of the H2East Pipeline from Humber to Nottinghamshire, a project intended to anchor the UK’s emerging hydrogen transmission network and support industrial decarbonisation, energy security, and regional growth. In this role, DNV will independently review and assure the FEED design to ensure it is safe, buildable, and suitable for hydrogen service, drawing on its global hydrogen research, materials testing, and safety modelling to reduce technical risk and prevent costly redesigns. The project is progressing with support from Ofgem’s Net Zero Pre-construction Work and Small Projects programme, reflecting growing UK policy and regulatory momentum behind hydrogen infrastructure, while DNV’s expertise is expected to help ensure that foundational engineering enables hydrogen to be transported at scale safely, efficiently, and at lower cost.

(PRESS RELEASE) HØVIK, 7-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — DNV has been selected by Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, to act as Owner’s Engineer for the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase of the H2East Pipeline: Humber to Nottinghamshire, a strategic project intended to form a backbone of the UK’s emerging hydrogen transmission system. The appointment places DNV at the centre of early-stage engineering and assurance for infrastructure that is expected to play a pivotal role in industrial decarbonisation, energy security, and long-term regional economic development.

The proposed H2East Pipeline will create a critical link between hydrogen production facilities in the Humber region and major industrial demand centres in South Humberside and Nottinghamshire. By establishing initial transmission capacity, the project aims to support the transition of energy-intensive industries to low-carbon fuels while also enabling dispatchable power generation based on hydrogen.

In its role as Owner’s Engineer, DNV will provide independent technical oversight of the FEED contractor’s work, reviewing design decisions to ensure the pipeline is safe, constructible, and suitable for hydrogen service. The scope includes assessing material performance, operational integrity, and compliance with evolving hydrogen safety and regulatory expectations.

DNV will draw on its extensive portfolio of hydrogen research, testing facilities, and real-world pilot projects to identify potential technical risks at an early stage. By integrating evidence from materials testing, repurposing studies, and advanced safety modelling, DNV intends to reduce uncertainty, mitigate design risk, and prevent costly revisions later in the project lifecycle. This approach is designed to strengthen confidence among regulators, financiers, and project stakeholders.

Hari Vamadevan, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for the UK & Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV, highlighted the novelty and importance of the project. He noted that hydrogen infrastructure must be engineered for a system that is still taking shape, requiring rigorous challenge of assumptions and close alignment between theory and real-world behaviour. He emphasised that DNV’s combination of deep gas industry experience, specialised hydrogen expertise, and major project risk management capability positions the company to support safe and scalable hydrogen deployment in the UK.

The appointment aligns with increased UK Government and Ofgem focus on accelerating investment in hydrogen transport infrastructure. As funding flows through mechanisms such as Ofgem’s Net Zero Pre-construction Work and Small Projects (NZASP) programme, independent technical assurance is becoming increasingly critical to ensure projects are credible, resilient, and capable of delivering long-term decarbonisation benefits. Cadent’s H2East Pipeline has already secured support through this funding route to advance through the FEED phase.

About DNV
DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry standards, and inspires and invents solutions.

Whether assessing a new ship design, qualifying technology for a floating wind farm, analyzing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to manage technological and regulatory complexity with confidence.

Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps its customers seize opportunities and tackle the risks arising from global transformations. DNV is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.

In the energy industry
DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services.  As the world’s leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system.

Media Contacts:

Neil James Slater
Head of Media Relations, Energy Systems
contact.energysystems@dnv.com
+44 2038165702

Penda Sall
Media Relations, Energy Systems
+33 651 69 88 64
contact.energysystems@dnv.com

SOURCE: DNV