EnergyPathways (LSE:EPP) has entered into a collaboration agreement with Finland-based Hycamite TCD Technologies to evaluate methane-splitting and carbon-processing technology for a proposed hydrogen and graphite production facility at the Port of Barrow in Cumbria.
The proposed facility would form part of EnergyPathways’ MESH energy storage project, combining hydrogen production with the manufacture of graphite, which is classified as a critical mineral by the UK government.
The company is assessing several technology options and potential government grant funding as it develops plans for a facility capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of hydrogen and 60,000 tonnes of graphite annually.
Preliminary economic assessments indicate potential annual revenue of between £90 million and £120 million, although the project remains at the evaluation stage.
EnergyPathways also intends to investigate ammonia production opportunities and seek financial support through the UK Critical Minerals Accelerator.
The proposed graphite facility would target materials used in electric vehicle batteries, aerospace and defence applications, providing a potential domestic source of supply for these industries.
The hydrogen and graphite development would be integrated with EnergyPathways’ wider MESH project, which combines compressed air energy storage with gas-to-hydrogen storage infrastructure in the East Irish Sea and at Barrow-in-Furness.
MESH is designed to provide 300MW of power capacity and 55GWh of energy storage, with the ability to supply electricity for periods exceeding 100 hours.
The project aims to capture surplus wind generation, store energy over multiple days and provide dispatchable electricity when renewable output is insufficient.
EnergyPathways said the integration of hydrogen and graphite production could create additional commercial opportunities alongside its long-duration energy storage operations.
The company is continuing to evaluate the proposed production facility, including technology selection, potential funding arrangements and the economic assumptions supporting its development.
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