EnergyPathways PLC (AIM: EPP) has requested a Section 35 direction under the Planning Act 2008 to consolidate approvals for its MESH integrated energy project into a single Development Consent Order (DCO).
If granted, the move would streamline permissions for the project’s compressed air energy storage, low-carbon power generation, hydrogen and ammonia production, and synthetic graphite facilities.
The request follows the North Sea Transition Authority’s decision not to award a gas storage licence for MESH’s natural gas and hydrogen storage components. EnergyPathways is considering a revised application.
Chief executive Ben Clube said the Section 35 application could “cut through red tape” and fast-track a project designed to provide backup power during low wind periods, drive industrial decarbonisation, and strengthen the UK’s energy security.
“We’re delighted to submit this Section 35 planning request to the government, covering the key components of the integrated MESH project,” he added.
“Our submission outlines the significant role we believe MESH can play in delivering the UK’s long-term goals for affordable energy, enhanced security, and deep decarbonisation.”
The project’s strategic partners include Siemens Energy, Hazer Group, Costain, and Wood.
About MESH
MESH is a new large scale energy storage facility that is expected to provide a secure and dependable supply of natural gas and clean hydrogen and low carbon flexible power for the UK market for over 25 years. MESH is an integrated energy system solution. It is electrifying and integrating existing infrastructure, connecting gas storage, hydrogen storage, and compressed air storage technologies with offshore wind and decarbonised power generation to establish a new major decarbonised energy hub for the UK.
The MESH system is designed to harness curtailed offshore wind power in an offshore LDES salt cavern storage as compressed air and hydrogen, with associated large scale natural gas storage in offshore gas field reservoirs. During periods of low renewable energy availability, stored energy resources will be utilized as follows: compressed natural gas will generate electricity via a gas turbine; compressed air will be expanded through a turbine to produce power; and in the future, hydrogen will be used in a hydrogen-compatible gas turbine or fuel cell to generate electricity.
This integrated system is expected to provide low- to zero-carbon dispatchable electricity to the grid, enhancing energy security and flexibility. Emissions can also be potentially captured and stored in nearby CCS reservoirs. Additionally, the stored hydrogen can be supplied to the UK’s emerging Project Union hydrogen network, contributing to emissions reduction across the broader UK energy system.
MESH is designed to be the UK’s largest integrated energy storage facility combining natural gas, compressed air and hydrogen storage. It will be able to store up to 20 TWh of energy. The MESH project is intended to deliver on the Government’s 2030 Clean Power timeline and will ensure a reliable and secure supply of energy for the UK. MESH has been designed as a fully decarbonised and electrified zero emission facility that is to be powered by the renewable wind farms of the UK East Irish Sea region. EnergyPathways aims to play its role in supporting the Government in accelerating the UK’s energy transition.
