Jacobs (NYSE: J) has been selected by EnergyPathways plc to provide consenting, regulatory, and Development Consent Order (DCO) services for the MESH Energy Storage Project, located in the Irish Sea with onshore infrastructure connecting into Barrow-in-Furness, England.

The MESH project is designed to combine compressed air energy storage with natural gas and hydrogen storage, with a planned capacity of 300MW and 55GWh. The project is expected to offer ultra-long duration energy storage of more than 190 hours. EnergyPathways is targeting an operational date of 2031, subject to securing necessary consents and financing.

Jacobs will manage the project's planning and DCO strategy, leading environmental planning, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement under the U.K.'s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project planning process. The scope includes support for EnergyPathways' submission to Ofgem's Long Duration Electricity Storage Cap & Floor financial system, grid connection application support, and alignment of statutory consents with the project schedule.

Jacobs Executive Vice President Richard Sanderson said: "MESH represents an important infrastructure development for Barrow-in-Furness and the wider U.K. energy system. Our extensive experience delivering complex infrastructure projects through the Development Consent Order process will support EnergyPathways in navigating planning and regulatory requirements while maintaining project momentum."

EnergyPathways CEO Ben Clube said Jacobs' experience in nationally significant government-led infrastructure and energy projects within the U.K., as well as its direct experience in the Northwest of England, would be valuable to the project.

According to a press release, Jacobs has previously supported major U.K. infrastructure projects through the DCO process, including serving as integration partner for the Lower Thames Crossing and as program manager on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project.