Hazer and EnergyPathways Ink MOU for 20,000 Tonne UK Hydrogen Plant

Strategic Partnership for UK Clean Energy

Australian clean hydrogen technology company Hazer Group has taken a significant step towards expanding its international footprint by signing a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UK-based EnergyPathways plc. The agreement sets the stage for a feasibility study into developing a large-scale hydrogen production facility in northwest England, integrated with EnergyPathways’ flagship Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project.

The proposed facility aims to produce 20,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually, leveraging Hazer’s proprietary methane pyrolysis technology. This method not only generates clean hydrogen but also produces high-quality graphite as a valuable by-product, positioning the project as a multi-output clean energy initiative. The integration with MESH, which connects to the UK’s electricity, gas, and hydrogen grids, promises a flexible and secure energy supply aligned with the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

Engineering Studies and Technology Integration

Under the MOU, both parties will undertake concept engineering studies to evaluate the technical and economic viability of producing hydrogen, ammonia, and graphite at scale. These studies will also explore how Hazer’s technology can be integrated with ammonia manufacturing, leveraging a strategic alliance with engineering giant KBR. The outcome of these studies will inform whether the project advances to the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase, a critical step towards construction and operation.

EnergyPathways CEO Ben Clube highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, noting that the project could deliver the lowest-cost clean hydrogen production in the UK. The MESH project itself is designed to provide a secure, flexible, and low-carbon energy supply, making it a cornerstone infrastructure initiative supporting the UK’s broader energy transition and industrial decarbonisation goals.

Government Support and Market Implications

The UK Government’s energy policy framework explicitly supports methane pyrolysis as a viable pathway to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and reduce scope-3 emissions. This pragmatic stance aligns well with Hazer’s technology and the MESH project’s objectives. Hazer’s CEO Glenn Corrie expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing the growing global momentum behind methane pyrolysis and the company’s role in advancing industrial decarbonisation both domestically and internationally.

While the MOU grants EnergyPathways 12 months of limited exclusivity to use Hazer’s technology in the UK, the agreement remains non-binding and contingent on successful study outcomes and further negotiations. Financial terms, timelines, and definitive project commitments have yet to be disclosed, leaving some uncertainty around the project’s ultimate scale and execution.

Nonetheless, this partnership marks a notable development in the clean hydrogen sector, potentially positioning Hazer as a key player in the UK’s energy transition landscape and opening new avenues for commercialising its technology on a global scale.