Essar Energy Transition (EET) has expressed strong approval of the UK Government’s recent backing for the HyNet cluster initiative. The UK has pledged £21.7 billion over the next 25 years to fund two carbon capture clusters in northern England.
These hubs, including the HyNet project in Merseyside and the East Coast Cluster in Teesside, will capture and store over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually in the Irish and North Seas. EET’s contribution to the HyNet project includes two blue hydrogen facilities: Hydrogen Production Plant 1 (HPP1) with a 350 MW capacity and Hydrogen Production Plant 2 (HPP2) with a 1 GW capacity.
In a statement, EET shared that its EET Hydrogen division is working on the UK’s first large-scale low-carbon hydrogen production facility at Stanlow, which will deliver a total hydrogen capacity of 1,350 MW and capture around 2.5 million tonnes of carbon annually—equivalent to taking 1.1 million cars off the road.
The hydrogen hub will support industrial and power generation companies in the region to reduce their carbon emissions by switching to low-carbon energy sources. The hydrogen produced will be used locally by Stanlow refinery and major regional manufacturers like Encirc, Pilkington, and Tata Chemicals, enabling them to operate with minimal carbon emissions.
EET’s hydrogen hub is expected to strengthen vital industries, create jobs, and attract billions in investment. The project will be rolled out in two stages, with HPP1 offering 350 MW of capacity and HPP2 delivering 1,000 MW, with an overall goal of surpassing 4,000 MW by 2030. EET Hydrogen plans to begin construction of HPP1 in 2025, with hydrogen production set to start in 2028.
Tony Fountain, Managing Partner of EET, praised the government’s support, saying, “It’s great to see progress on the HyNet cluster. Our first hydrogen plant at Stanlow will drive jobs and growth in the North West. With government backing, we look forward to finalizing our investment and starting construction in 2025.”
EET Hydrogen CEO Joe Seifert also highlighted the significance of the announcement, noting, “This marks a crucial turning point for the UK’s hydrogen sector. The North West is once again leading global industry, producing essential goods with a reduced carbon footprint. This funding will help secure and expand jobs in our industrial heartlands for years to come.”
Essar Energy Transition (EET) is a key player in driving Essar Group’s vision for a sustainable, low-carbon future. Focused on decarbonizing its core operations, EET is leading efforts to transition from traditional energy sources to cleaner, more sustainable solutions.
With a strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero targets, EET is investing significantly in green energy technologies such as hydrogen, renewable power, and biofuels. The company also emphasizes the development of next-generation infrastructure to support this shift, including projects like carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). By spearheading these initiatives, Essar Energy Transition aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy in India and globally, while aligning with the broader goals of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
