National Grid : Welwyn gas holders to disappear from skyline by spring

03 Jan 2018

• Holders built in 1929 but now redundant as there is sufficient storage capacity for gas within the pipe network
• Work is part of a national programme to dismantle disused gasholders to put sites to better use
• Work expected to be complete by spring

Work to dismantle the two gasholders on the National Grid site in Welwyn gets underway in late January.

The gasholders once played an essential role in making sure local homes had a reliable gas supply. They were filled with gas during times of low demand so that they could feed into the local network of pipes at times of peak demand.

Since then, techniques have been developed to allow gas to be compressed and stored inside gas pipes. This means that the old holders are no longer needed and can be dismantled so that the land can be brought into beneficial use.

Bethan Short, National Grid Land Regeneration Advisor, said: 'National Grid is committed to finding new ways of making better use of the assets and equipment it owns and operates. The old gasholders served the town well but we are now able to store gas in underground pipes and so no longer need the vast network of holders we once had.'

'Local homes and businesses will still enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply, but we're now able to dismantle the holders and clear the site ready for it to be reused. In some locations, former gas holder sites have formed a key part of major local regeneration plans.'

The holders on Tewin Road were built in 1929 and were previously operated by Welwyn and Hatfield Gas Co Ltd. The gasholders have not been used since 2010.

Bethan added: 'Removing the holders will be a complex job, but we'll use highly skilled engineers to carry out the work. We'll keep local residents and businesses informed as our work progresses.'

For more information on the project, contact National Grid's Community Relations Team on 0800 073 1047 between 7am-7pm Monday to Friday or 7am-1pm on Saturdays.