EnergyPathways, an energy transition company, has received consent from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) to apply for new hydrogen and natural gas storage licences in the East Irish Sea to support its flagship Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project. The licence application will cover an area of salt cavern storage potential about four times larger than previously applied for, marking a major expansion for the large-scale long duration energy storage (LDES) and decarbonisation facility.
MESH aims to provide a secure, affordable, and low-carbon energy supply to the UK for over 25 years. The project integrates compressed air, hydrogen, thermal, and natural gas storage in offshore salt caverns and gas reservoirs, using renewable wind power from the UK Irish Sea region. Its design includes hydrogen production via methane pyrolysis, with plans for hydrogen-compatible power generation and connections to the emerging UK Project Union hydrogen network.
The facility is positioned as a critical component of the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 vision, enhancing energy security, grid flexibility, and decarbonisation efforts. EnergyPathways is advancing partnerships with major industry players such as Siemens Energy, Hazer Group, KBR, Wood Plc, Costain Plc, and Zenith Energy, while progressing necessary consents and approvals for operation. The company expects the project to be operational by 2030, subject to final government approvals and financing.
