EnergyPathways and Hycamite plan hydrogen and battery‑grade graphite plant at Port of Barrow
- Planned plant targets annual outputs of 20,000 tonnes hydrogen and about 60,000 tonnes graphite at Port‑of‑Barrow.
- Project will evaluate Hycamite’s methane‑decomposition process to produce low‑carbon hydrogen and high‑quality battery graphite.
- EnergyPathways says hydrogen costs would be competitive with blue hydrogen (with CCS) and lower than UK electrolysis‑based green hydrogen.
- The plant is part of the MESH LDES programme targeting 300 MW / 55 GWh / >100 hours, with hydrogen production aimed for 2029–2030.
Project scope
EnergyPathways has signed an agreement with Hycamite to assess use of Hycamite's methane decomposition and carbon‑treatment technology at a proposed facility in ABP's Port‑of‑Barrow. The proposal forms part of EPP's MESH long‑duration energy storage project and targets annual production capacities of 20,000 tonnes of hydrogen and about 60,000 tonnes of graphite.
Technology and products
Hycamite's proprietary process produces low‑carbon hydrogen and solid carbon products, including battery‑grade graphite. Polaris Battery Labs in the US has independently confirmed the quality of Hycamite's battery graphite produced from natural gas. EPP intends to sell graphite to export markets and customers in the energy transition sector.
Markets, economics and options
EnergyPathways is evaluating the technology's profitability and estimates hydrogen production costs will be competitive with blue hydrogen using carbon capture and lower than UK electrolysis‑based green hydrogen. EPP is also assessing the option of combining produced hydrogen with nitrogen to make ammonia for the global fertilizer market, and plans to apply for UK Critical Minerals Accelerator support for graphite commercialisation.
MESH integration and timetable
The MESH project combines compressed‑air storage with gas‑to‑hydrogen conversion and aims for 300 MW / 55 GWh / over 100 hours of storage. EPP targets starting hydrogen operations in 2029–2030, contingent on approvals, funding and political developments, while site options with Associated British Ports are under review.
Source: Hycamite
