In a landmark decision, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council’s planning committee has approved the construction of a £2 billion hydrogen production and carbon capture plant at the Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England. This groundbreaking project is set to revolutionize the supply chain for UK glass manufacturing giants Pilkington and Encirc, along with soda ash producer Tata Chemicals.
The initiative, spearheaded by EET Hydrogen (formerly Vertex Hydrogen), promises a significant boost in low carbon hydrogen production. EET Hydrogen, a collaborative venture between Essar Oil UK and the renewable energy company Progressive Energy, announced the commencement of engineering and design work in September 2023. This plant forms a critical component of the expansive HyNet hydrogen project.
The production process at Stanlow involves the combustion of natural gas to generate hydrogen, a method typically associated with high carbon emissions. However, HyNet’s strategic investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology addresses this concern. The captured carbon, estimated to be up to 97% of the total produced by the hydrogen facility, will be transported and stored indefinitely in depleted gas fields beneath Liverpool Bay.
This two-phased project includes the establishment of a Hydrogen Production Plant (HPP) 1, which lays the groundwork for producing up to 350MW of hydrogen. Following this, HPP2 will expand the facility’s capacity by an additional 700MW. The first phase is scheduled to commence production in 2027, with the second phase following suit in 2028.
EET Hydrogen’s ambitious plan aims to contribute approximately 4GW of low carbon hydrogen by 2030, fulfilling almost 40% of the UK Government’s national hydrogen production target. The project received a significant boost with funding from the UK Government in March 2023.
Designed for an operational lifespan of roughly 25 years, this project not only marks a significant step in sustainable industrial practices but also promises to create job opportunities, including positions for 20 full-time staff members once operational.
Encirc MD welcomes planning approval of UK hydrogen production facility
Encirc Managing Director Sean Murphy (pictured) has welcomed the news that Cheshire West and Chester Council has approved plans for the first large scale hydrogen production facility and carbon capture plant in the UK which will supply low carbon hydrogen to Encirc’s Elton factory.
Sean said the decision is another step closer to making the decarbonisation of their furnaces a reality.
He was speaking after councillors on the planning committee at Cheshire West and Cheshire Council approved the development yesterday (Tuesday), which is located at the Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England, UK.
Sean explained: “This is another important milestone in bringing low carbon hydrogen to the North West. At Encirc we are looking forward to ensuring glass is the most sustainable packaging of choice for generations to come. With access to low carbon hydrogen, we can decarbonise our furnaces and make that future a reality.”
EET Hydrogen, a joint venture between Essar Oil UK, owner of the refinery, and low carbon energy firm Progressive Energy, is behind the proposal. They revealed in September 2023 that engineering and design work had started on the project. Encirc has been highly supportive and influential regarding the project since its inception three years ago.
It forms part of the wider Hynet hydrogen project which aims to create a low carbon future across the north west of the UK
The facility will eventually supply up to 1,000MW of hydrogen to glass manufacturers Encirc and Pilkington, as well as soda ash producer Tata Chemicals.
It is estimated that the hydrogen hub will enable local industrial and power generation businesses to switch from fossil fuels to low carbon energy, helping to reduce the North West’s carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes every year – the equivalent of taking 1.1 million cars off the roads.
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