EnergyPathways plc has announced that the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Rt Hon Ed Miliband, has formally designated the major elements of the company’s MESH project as a development of national significance under the Planning Act 2008.
The recognition grants the project priority development authorisation status, reserved for initiatives of national importance in the energy sector.
It is also a major validation of EnergyPathways’ investment case.
“The Secretary of State’s decision is a landmark moment for EnergyPathways and for the UK’s energy transition. By granting the MESH project nationally significant status, the Government has recognised its potential to become a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy future,” said Ben Clube, EnergyPathways’ CEO.
“MESH is designed to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the UK energy system today – the high cost of wasted wind power, heavy reliance on aging high emission and expensive gas power plants and ensuring reliable and secure energy supply in an uncertain geo-political world. With its significant storage capacity, flexible clean power, low-cost hydrogen and supporting new low-carbon industries, MESH can become a catalyst for investment and growth in the UK’s economy delivering long-term value not only to EnergyPathways’ shareholders, but also to Britain’s consumers.”
Located in the East Irish Sea and Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, the MESH project is positioned to support the Government’s Clean Power 2030, Net Zero and industrial growth targets.
The Secretary of State’s decision acknowledges the project’s key components: long-duration energy storage designed to capture wasted UK wind power; flexible low-carbon power capacity to stabilise the national grid; low-carbon hydrogen production at reduced costs; production of high-purity synthetic graphite and low-carbon ammonia; and large-scale gas storage to enhance energy security.
EnergyPathways is developing MESH in partnership with Siemens Energy, Wood plc, Costain plc, KBR Inc and Hazer Group. The company will now progress towards obtaining a Development Consent Order for the project.