Strengthening the UK’s Energy Security: A New Storage Facility in the Irish Sea

A major new development is set to significantly boost the UK’s energy resilience. Irish developer dCarbonX has announced plans to transform the depleted Bains gas field, located near Barrow-in-Furness in the East Irish Sea, into a gas storage facility with a capacity of 1.4 billion cubic metres.

This project would effectively double the UK’s gas storage capacity, providing the equivalent of six days of average national gas demand. With current storage levels among the lowest in Europe, this step represents an important move toward ensuring both market stability and national security.

At present, the UK can store just 12 days of average winter demand, with much of that coming from Centrica’s Rough facility, which is set to scale back operations. The Bains project will help close this gap, particularly as North Sea production continues to decline due to maturing fields and reduced drilling activity.

Backed by a £830 million investment, the project already holds a gas storage licence and is targeting a final investment decision in 2027, with operations potentially beginning in 2030, subject to regulatory approvals. Existing pipeline infrastructure in the region will support an efficient development timeline.

While the initial focus is on natural gas, the facility has also been designed with future flexibility in mind. It could later be adapted for storing other molecules, including green hydrogen, aligning with the UK’s broader net-zero ambitions. The initiative is being developed in partnership with Italian gas operator Snam.

This project underlines the importance of investing in critical energy infrastructure as the UK transitions toward a low-carbon future while safeguarding supply security in the present.