Essar's UK Hydrogen Production Facility Receives Approval

Essar Energy Transition (EET) announced on Thursday that its proposal for establishing a low carbon hydrogen production facility in the UK has received approval.

The Cheshire West and Chester Council have granted approval for groundbreaking plans put forth by EET Hydrogen, marking a significant step towards the establishment of the first large-scale, low carbon hydrogen production plant (HPP1) in the UK. The facility is slated to be situated at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Comprising two plants, namely HPP1 and HPP2, the hydrogen hub aims to facilitate the transition of local industrial and power generation businesses from fossil fuels to low carbon energy sources. This transition is expected to result in a substantial reduction of the North West's carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 1.1 million cars from the roads.

The locally produced hydrogen will be utilized by Essar refinery and other major manufacturers in the region, including Tata Chemicals, Encirc, and Pilkington. This usage is intended to foster the creation of the first low carbon refining operations, glass, and chemicals manufacturing sites globally.

EET Hydrogen's hub is positioned to play a crucial role in securing and expanding vital industries, generating employment opportunities, and unlocking substantial investments. The project is deemed to be the largest low carbon hydrogen initiative in the UK and one of the most advanced globally.

Richard Holden, Project Manager for the EET Hydrogen HPP1, remarked, "It is a vital piece of the North West’s journey to net zero, underpinning HyNet and providing the opportunity for manufacturers in the region to decarbonise their processes and support UK jobs."

EET plans to develop the hydrogen hub in phases, commencing with the first plant (HPP1) boasting a 350 MW capacity. The second plant (HPP2) will have a capacity of 1,000 MW, with an overall target capacity surpassing 4,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030. These plants are crucial for meeting the UK's hydrogen and industrial decarbonization targets, contributing to the establishment of essential hydrogen infrastructure.

The project forms a key component of HyNet, the UK's prominent industrial decarbonization cluster, with construction expected to commence on HPP1 in 2024 and low carbon hydrogen production anticipated by 2027.

HBL