Hydrogen

Powering the Transition to a Low-Carbon Future

Hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of the UK’s net zero strategy. As a clean, flexible energy carrier, it offers a viable solution for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, transport, and heat. With government support, private investment, and technological innovation accelerating, the UK hydrogen economy is poised for rapid growth.

But delivering hydrogen infrastructure is complex. Projects must navigate a shifting regulatory landscape, stringent safety requirements, and evolving planning policy. Whether producing green hydrogen via electrolysis or distributing it through new or repurposed networks, developers face challenges around site selection, permitting, environmental impact, and public perception.

At Arthian, we bring together planners, engineers, environmental consultants, and safety specialists to support hydrogen projects from concept to commissioning. Our multidisciplinary team understands the unique demands of hydrogen infrastructure and provides the insight and support needed to deliver safe, sustainable, and commercially viable solutions.

How Arthian Can Help

We support hydrogen projects across the full value chain, from production and storage to distribution and end-use. Whether you’re developing a standalone electrolyser, a hydrogen refuelling station, or a large-scale hub, we offer tailored consultancy services to help you deliver with confidence.

Multidisciplinary Hydrogen Consultancy

Planning & Development Strategy

- Site Selection & Feasibility Studies
  Identifying suitable locations based on grid access, water availability, planning policy, and environmental constraints.

- Planning Applications & Consents
  Preparing robust planning submissions, managing stakeholder engagement, and securing timely approvals.

- Policy & Regulatory Advice
  Interpreting emerging hydrogen policy and advising on compliance with planning, environmental, and safety regulations.

- Development Plan Representations
  Promoting hydrogen-friendly policies through Local Plan engagement and strategic site promotion.

Environmental & Safety Services

- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  Coordinating EIA screening, scoping, and full Environmental Statements for hydrogen production and infrastructure projects.

- Process Safety & COMAH Support
  Delivering risk assessments, safety reports, and compliance strategies for hydrogen facilities subject to COMAH regulations.

- Air Quality, Noise & Odour Assessments
  Ensuring environmental compliance and community acceptance through detailed modelling and mitigation strategies.

- Ecology & Biodiversity Net Gain
  Supporting ecological surveys, habitat creation, and biodiversity enhancement in line with planning requirements.

Engineering & Infrastructure Support

- Civil & Structural Engineering
  Designing site layouts, foundations, bunding, and containment systems for hydrogen production and storage facilities.

- Utilities & Infrastructure Planning
  Managing connections for electricity, water, and gas, including capacity assessments and coordination with network operators.

- Drainage & Flood Risk Management
  Designing sustainable drainage systems and mitigating flood risk in line with national and local policy.

- Construction Support & CDM Coordination
  Providing CEMPs, site audits, and Principal Designer services to ensure safe, compliant delivery.

Operational Support & Compliance

- Environmental Permitting & Monitoring
  Supporting permit applications, compliance monitoring, and condition discharge for operational hydrogen sites.

- Carbon & Energy Strategy
  Advising on lifecycle emissions, energy efficiency, and integration with renewable energy sources.

Arthian and the Hydrogen Lifecycle

Site Selection & Feasibility

We help clients identify and assess potential sites using GIS analysis, planning risk reviews, and environmental constraints mapping. Our feasibility studies provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to support investment decisions and funding applications.

Planning & Consents

Our planning team leads the preparation of planning applications, coordinating inputs from environmental, engineering, and safety specialists. We manage community consultation, stakeholder engagement, and negotiations with local authorities to secure timely, robust consents.

We also support:

Environmental Permitting and Hazardous Substances Consent
COMAH and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) engagement
Coordination with statutory consultees including SEPA, NatureScot, the Environment Agency and Natural England

Design & Delivery

Our engineers and consultants work closely with or form project teams to ensure hydrogen infrastructure is safe, efficient, and compliant. We support:

Site access, layout, and containment design
Structural and civil engineering for production and storage facilities
Utility planning and substation coordination
Fire safety and hazardous area classification
Temporary works and construction logistics
Ground engineering
Surveying

Environmental & Safety Integration

We embed environmental and safety considerations from the outset, supporting:

Air quality, noise, and odour modelling
Ecological surveys and biodiversity enhancement
Flood risk mitigation
Drainage design and fire water containment
Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA)
Process safety assessments and HAZOP studies
ESG reporting and sustainability certification

Operational Excellence

Once operational, we continue to support clients with:

Environmental monitoring and compliance
Permit renewals and condition discharge
Energy and carbon audits
Planning advice for future upgrades or expansion

Why choose Arthian?

Sector Expertise

we’ve supported hydrogen projects across the UK, from feasibility and planning to permitting and delivery.

Multidisciplinary Team

our planners, engineers, environmental scientists, and safety consultants work together to deliver joined-up solutions.

Regulatory Insight

We stay ahead of evolving planning policy, grid codes, and environmental regulation.

Client-Focused Delivery

we tailor our support to your project’s scale, location, and commercial drivers, delivering value at every stage of the development lifecycle.

Our Latest Projects

View All Projects

Energy Engineering

Rushcliffe Borough Council Heat Decarbonisation Plans

Development of heat decarbonisation plan to support the Council's aim to make services carbon neutral by 2030

Energy Engineering

London Borough of Islington Heat Decarbonisation Plans

Development of 31 comprehensive Site Heat Decarbonisation Plans via Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) Phase 5 funding

Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Design Temporary Works

MORAY WEST CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN

Onshore Civil Engineering Design for Transmission & Distribution

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.

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