EnergyPathways, a UK energy transition company, has announced that it has commenced engineering studies with KBR Inc. and Hazer Group Ltd (Hazer) for its planned hydrogen and graphite production facilities, to be located in Barrow-in-Furness in the northwest of England, UK, as part of the company's MESH project.
The integrated engineering study scope will use KBR's and Hazer's proprietary technologies in the design of low-carbon hydrogen, high grade graphite, and low-carbon ammonia production facilities. Hazer and KBR have formed a global strategic alliance in clean hydrogen production solutions.
The commencement of these engineering studies through the KBR-Hazer alliance underscores the company's commitment to partnering with Tier 1 global leaders in clean energy technology to deliver innovative, low-emission solutions vital for the UK's energy transition and industrial strategy.
This significant milestone follows the memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced on 15 July 2025, in which EnergyPathways secured exclusive rights to evaluate, use and deploy Hazer's hydrogen production technology within the UK. It also follows the RNS dated 22 October 2025 in which EnergyPathways announced the commencement of techno-commercial studies with Hazer in relation to the high-grade synthetic graphite that will be produced as a by-product from the MESH low-carbon hydrogen production facility. Graphite has been identified by a number of countries, including the UK, as a critical mineral to meet their net zero, industrial growth, and national security objectives.
MESH hydrogen and graphite production
The planned hydrogen and graphite production facilities target an indicative hydrogen production capacity of 20 000 tpy (equivalent to 90 MW), and also a graphite production capacity of 60 000 tpy. Under the company's engineering studies agreement, the Hazer-KBR alliance will lead the engineering design and concept development studies for the proposed MESH hydrogen and graphite production facility. Work will commence immediately, with completion anticipated in early 2026 in line with the company's MESH project timeline.
The major elements of the MESH project, including its low-carbon hydrogen and graphite production facilities, have been designated as a project of national significance by Ed Milliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This allows the MESH project to access a streamlined planning and development consent process under the 2008 Planning Act, reserved for large scale infrastructure developments of national significance.
Ben Clube, CEO of EnergyPathways, commented: "The commencement of engineering studies with the KBR and Hazer alliance underscores EnergyPathways' commitment to partnering with tier-1 global leading companies to delivering innovative and affordable low-emission solutions vital for the UK's energy transition, industrial strategy, and national security.
"With alternative hydrogen production technologies such as blue and green hydrogen looking increasingly challenged by high production costs, EnergyPathways aims to develop a hydrogen production pathway and decarbonisation solution that could be more affordable to Britain's taxpayers and energy consumers. EnergyPathways is targeting growth market opportunities in hydrogen-to-power and low-carbon ammonia production.
"A significant added benefit of EnergyPathways' hydrogen production project is the associated graphite production. The UK government has identified graphite as a critical mineral essential to the nation's energy transition and industrial strategy. With the UK 100% dependent on imports for its graphite needs, and China dominating global supply with over 80% of market share, the British government, and others such as the USA, are actively seeking to secure their own graphite supply chains."
Glenn Corrie, CEO and MD of Hazer, commented: "We are delighted to see the EnergyPathways MESH project advancing rapidly, underpinned by its recognition as a nationally significant UK energy development. The EnergyPathways MESH project is strategically important and the integration of Hazer's low-cost hydrogen technology with the co-production of a low-emissions critical mineral represents a genuine gamechanger for the UK's energy transition plan. Hazer and KBR are excited to commence this concept study to support EnergyPathways progress to its next major milestone."