Major Energy Storage Plans in Cumbria Move Forward
Plans for a major energy storage site linked to Barrow have taken a step forward after EnergyPathways received a gas storage licence from the North Sea Transition Authority.
The licence forms part of the company’s Marram Energy Storage Hub, known as MESH. The project would include offshore facilities in the East Irish Sea and onshore infrastructure in Barrow-in-Furness.
EnergyPathways says the project could store natural gas at first, before later moving towards hydrogen storage. It could use up to 60 large salt caverns beneath the seabed to hold energy at a large scale.
What Is Being Planned?
The MESH project is being described as a long-term energy storage hub.
The plans include:
- natural gas storage
- future hydrogen storage
- compressed air energy storage
- hydrogen production
- onshore facilities linked to Barrow
- offshore storage in the East Irish Sea
EnergyPathways says the project would help improve the UK’s energy security by storing energy that can be used when supply is under pressure.
Why the Licence Matters
The gas storage licence is an important step because it allows the company to move the project forward.
It does not mean construction can start straight away. The scheme would still need further consents, finance and approvals before it could be built.
EnergyPathways said the licence covers a large offshore area that could support up to 60 large underground salt storage caverns. The company says these caverns could provide multi-terawatt hour energy storage, subject to the next stages being approved.
A Nationally Significant Project
The project has been designated by the UK Government as nationally significant.
That means it is seen as important infrastructure for the country, not just for the local area. EnergyPathways says the project could help deal with energy availability and provide several days of storage at a very large scale.
According to the company, the natural gas storage part of the project could double Britain’s gas storage capacity and provide up to six days of national energy supply. It says the site could also deliver around 15 million cubic metres of gas per day for fast back-up supply to the grid.
Compressed Air Energy Storage Also Planned
The scheme also includes compressed air energy storage.
This is a way of storing electricity by using power to compress air. The air can then be released later to help generate electricity when it is needed.
EnergyPathways says this part of the project could have a capacity of 300MW/55GWh. It says this would make it Britain’s largest long-duration energy storage facility.
The company says this could help store electricity from renewable energy sources, including wind power, instead of wasting energy when supply is higher than demand.
Why Barrow Is Important to the Scheme
The project would put Barrow at the centre of a major UK energy infrastructure development.
Barrow already has a strong industrial and energy role because of its coastal location, port links, offshore energy activity and skilled workforce.
The proposed development could add to that role by connecting Barrow with long-term energy storage, hydrogen production and future low-carbon industry.
EnergyPathways has also said low-cost hydrogen production could support new sustainable industries planned in Barrow-in-Furness, including a proposed graphite production plant.
Who Is Involved?
EnergyPathways is leading the project.
The company is working with a Tier One partnership group that includes Siemens Energy, Costain, Wood and Zenith Energy.
The next major stage is to progress the project towards a final investment decision in 2028. If the scheme moves ahead, start-up is currently being targeted for late 2031, subject to planning and other approvals.
Why Energy Storage Matters
Energy storage is becoming more important as the UK uses more renewable power.
Wind and solar energy can produce large amounts of electricity, but not always at the exact time it is needed. Storage helps hold that energy so it can be used later.
Large storage projects can also help the grid respond when demand rises, supply falls, or global energy markets become unstable.
Ben Clube, chief executive of EnergyPathways, said recent global events show how limited Britain’s energy storage capacity is. He said long-duration storage can help lower energy prices, improve energy security and support a cleaner energy system.
What Happens Next?
The project is still at an early development stage.
Before it can be built, it will need to move through further technical, planning, financing and approval stages.
The gas storage licence is a major milestone, but the final decision on whether the project goes ahead is not expected until 2028.
If approved, MESH could become one of the most significant energy infrastructure projects linked to Barrow in the coming years.
