Aim-listed UK energy transition company EnergyPathways is fast-tracking development of its low-carbon hydrogen and graphite production facility at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, with the aim of becoming revenue-generative by 2029.

The project may potentially start up earlier, subject to further design optimisation and supply chain management.

EnergyPathways is building long-duration energy storage comprising natural gas and hydrogen, as well as graphite and ammonia production facilities, which form the company's integrated Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project.

Notably, EnergyPathways says commercialisation of the hydrogen industries pillar is not dependent on government commercial support and involves minimal regulatory processes.

The company has already identified a site in Barrow capable of hosting a 20 000 t/y plant and has existing gas and power network connections in place, while engineering work is progressing with technology partners Hazer Group and Hycamite TCD Technologies.

The Barrow facility will deploy methane splitting technology, which cracks natural gas into low-carbon hydrogen and solid graphitic carbon. The carbon is captured as graphite rather than released as carbon dioxide, creating a new domestic source of a strategically important material.

The UK government deems graphite as a critical mineral essential to national security, industrial strategy and the energy transition. The UK currently imports all of its graphite, with a growing need for locally produced graphite to mitigate against geopolitical shocks.

EnergyPathways has identified its initial graphite markets as being tyre manufacturing, metallurgical industries and the blending of graphite into concrete and asphalt. These industries use carbon on a large scale, and EnergyPathways' graphite would offer them a route to decarbonisation. 

The company will also eventually convert graphitic carbon into high-grade graphite, including graphite suitable for use in electric vehicle batteries and other advanced applications.

"We have a real opportunity to accelerate this project and become revenue generative by 2029 if not earlier, underpinning the company with strong cash flows at attractive earnings margins. We are actively accelerating this aspect of MESH, with multiple workstreams ongoing, including the acquisition or lease of suitable land in Barrow and engagement regarding connections into the gas and power grids. 

"The economics of the hydrogen industries component of MESH are compelling on a standalone basis. We are progressing engagement with offtake clients to underpin the economics and with strategic investors, as well as private capital, to fund the fast-tracked development," confirms EnergyPathways CEO Ben Clube.

He says the company is now focused on locking in offtake, completing engineering, and securing the funding to deliver early cash flow for MESH and long-term investment for Barrow. 

"We look forward to updating the market as we complete the various milestones on our route to commercialisation."