UK energy supplier Centrica will use a Vodafone 5G mobile private network (MPN) to create a “fully connected digital ecosystem” at one of its natural gas plants in Easington, Yorkshire. Vodafone says that this deployment of a 5G mobile private network is a first in the oil and gas industry.

Using the 5G MPN, real-time indoor and outdoor monitoring of the plant and its equipment is hoped to improve maintenance and safety at Easington. Workers will be alerted to any gas emissions, for example, or receive early warnings of any equipment on the point of failure.

The MPN will be built by Vodafone Business using Ericsson equipment.

The announcement follows the news of car maker Ford’s intention to use a Vodafone 5G mobile private network at their electric car plant in Essex.

Centrica describes its Easington facility as “of vital national importance”. It receives offshore natural gas via very large pipelines. Gas is processed and stored there, before eventual distribution to millions of homes across the UK.