EnergyPathways has released a project briefing document for an ambitious new scheme that would use wind power generated in the Irish Sea to produce hydrogen and store it in up to 20 salt caverns off the Lancashire coast.
The company said the so-called ‘MESH project’ “will be a critical part of developing the wider hydrogen economy in the UK, providing a secure and dependable supply of natural gas and green hydrogen for the UK market for over 20 years, supporting multiple sectors seeking to decarbonise, and that includes transportation, HGVs, etc.”
MESH will connect hydrogen production with around 1GW of the region’s 8GW of existing and planned offshore wind capacity, linked offshore to avoid UK transmission grid supply constraints.
The energy hub will link hydrogen, compressed air and natural gas storage with regional wind power, using repurposed existing gas infrastructure. Energy Pathways claims the MESH ‘long duration energy storage’ system will potentially be the largest of its kind in Europe.
Ben Clube, chief executive of EnergyPathways said: “We are pleased to have outlined our vision for MESH within the project briefing document that is being shared with the relevant stakeholders. The document’s project highlights demonstrate that the proposed MESH project is an ambitious, bespoke and much needed project that has potential to make a material contribution to the UK, delivering on its net zero and energy security ambitions.”
He added, “We look forward to providing further updates on MESH as we progress through the FEED [front end engineering design] stages and engage with key stakeholders.”
EnergyPathways said it “remains on track to a final investment decision (FID) later this year, with operations targeted to begin in late 2027”.
