Gold prices edge up amid Fed rate cut hopes; US-Russia talks awaited
LONDON - EnergyPathways plc (AIM:EPP) has requested a government direction under the Planning Act 2008 for its MESH energy project while addressing setbacks to its gas storage plans, the company announced Thursday.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) rejected EnergyPathways’ gas storage license application submitted in August 2024, citing "changed circumstances" among other factors. This decision affects only the natural gas and hydrogen storage components of the company’s MESH project.
In response, EnergyPathways is exploring options including amending and resubmitting its application to the NSTA. Simultaneously, the company has requested a direction under section 35 of the Planning Act 2008 to streamline the approval process for other critical elements of the MESH project.
The section 35 request covers the project’s compressed air Long Duration Energy Storage facilities, low-carbon power generation, hydrogen production, and ammonia and synthetic graphite production facilities. If granted, this would consolidate various permissions into a single Development Consent Order.
"Our section 35 submission sets out what we believe to be the significant contribution that the MESH integrated energy project can make to delivering Britain’s future ambitions in energy affordability, security and decarbonisation," said Ben Clube, EnergyPathways’ CEO, in the press release statement.
The MESH project is designed as an integrated energy storage facility combining natural gas, compressed air and hydrogen storage with a capacity to store up to 20 TWh of energy. According to the company, the system aims to harness curtailed offshore wind power and provide low-carbon dispatchable electricity to the grid.
EnergyPathways is developing the project alongside strategic partners including Siemens Energy, Hazer Group Ltd, Costain plc and Wood plc.
The company will need additional consents for certain aspects of the project, including a marine license under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for the compressed air storage component, which could be incorporated within the Development Consent Order process.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.