EnergyPathways has secured consent from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) to expand its Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project in the East Irish Sea, a move that could significantly bolster the UK’s energy storage and decarbonisation efforts. The company now aims to apply for hydrogen and natural gas storage licences covering an area four times larger than previously considered, marking a substantial scaling up of the project’s ambitions.
MESH is designed to provide secure, affordable, and low-carbon energy to the UK for over 25 years. It integrates multiple storage technologies, including compressed air, hydrogen, thermal, and natural gas, utilising offshore salt caverns and gas reservoirs. The facility will harness renewable wind power from the Irish Sea region and incorporate hydrogen production via methane pyrolysis. Notably, MESH plans to include hydrogen-compatible power generation and connections to the UK’s emerging Project Union hydrogen network.
This project aligns with the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 vision, aiming to enhance energy security, grid flexibility, and decarbonisation. EnergyPathways is collaborating with major industry players such as Costain, Hazer Group, KBR, Siemens Energy, Wood, and Zenith Energy to advance the project. The company expects MESH to be operational by 2030, pending final government approvals and financing.
The expansion of MESH could set a precedent for large-scale, long-duration energy storage (LDES) projects, demonstrating the feasibility of integrating multiple storage technologies and renewable energy sources. If successful, it could accelerate the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system and inspire similar initiatives elsewhere. However, the project’s complexity and the need for substantial investment and regulatory support present significant challenges that will need to be navigated carefully.
As EnergyPathways progresses with its licence application and partnerships, the energy sector will be watching closely to see how MESH develops and what impact it could have on the UK’s energy landscape. The project’s success could provide a blueprint for other regions seeking to enhance their energy storage capabilities and reduce carbon emissions.