Controversial blue hydrogen pipeline planned for the North

British gas giant Cadent is planning a 60-mile energy pipeline in the north of England.

The energy distribution company, owned by former Thames water owner Macquarie, will develop the first ‘blue hydrogen’ system of its kind in Britain.

An underground pipeline will run from a factory near Ellesmere Port to Cheshire.

Customers who have signed up include Heineken and Kraft Heinz, The Sunday Telegraph reports.

Blue hydrogen production has faced backlash from eco-warriors as it continues to use fossil fuels.

It involves combining natural gas with steam, creating carbon dioxide.

Cadent’s strategy director Angela Needle said the Hynet project “will serve as a blueprint for decarbonizing the industry, enabling growth and supporting the government in achieving its clean energy mission by 2030.”

It comes as energy secretary Ed Miliband promises to invest £1 billion in plans to produce blue hydrogen.

But scientists have warned that this technology could make it harder to achieve green goals.