EnergyPathways has been selected by the UK government to join the Hydrogen Storage Business Model Design Group.
This initiative, led by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), aims to establish a new investment support scheme for hydrogen storage projects. EnergyPathways plans to participate in the first Hydrogen Storage Allocation Round with its MESH natural gas and green hydrogen storage project.
To meet its target of producing up to 10 GW of low carbon hydrogen by 2030, the UK needs extensive hydrogen storage and transport infrastructure. Hydrogen storage is crucial for capturing unused renewable energy and balancing the energy supply. Currently, the UK’s costs for managing excess renewable energy are high, and these costs are expected to rise significantly by 2030. The government’s initial focus is on developing geological storage for green hydrogen, with the National Grid projecting the need for between 2 TWh and 56 TWh of storage by 2050. The goal is to prioritize projects that offer broad energy benefits, support decarbonization, and drive the growth of the hydrogen market.
EnergyPathways aims to expand its MESH project, a natural gas and green hydrogen storage facility located off the UK’s Lancashire coast. This facility is poised to be a major player in the UK’s hydrogen sector, with a planned initial storage capacity of 15 TWh, comparable to the UK’s largest existing gas storage facility. The company anticipates increasing this capacity significantly, including developing up to 1.5 TWh of green hydrogen storage. Situated close to significant regional wind power, MESH can effectively use excess wind energy and connect to new green hydrogen supply markets. This strategic location positions MESH to contribute to the UK’s energy transition, benefiting the North West of England economically.
EnergyPathways has been invited to influence the final design of the Hydrogen Storage Business Model, thanks to its collaboration with relevant authorities. The company’s MESH project aligns with the UK government’s objectives for hydrogen storage and offers competitive advantages deserving of government backing. The MESH project is forming partnerships with leading global engineering and energy companies, with plans to complete pre-FEED by 2024 and reach a final investment decision by 2025.
