Essar Energy Transition (EET) announced on Friday that it will build Europe’s first hydrogen-ready combined heat and power (CHP) plant at its Stanlow refinery in the UK by 2027. The new plant, named EET Hydrogen Power, will be developed in two phases, reaching a capacity of 125 MW of power and 6,000 tonnes of steam per day. This project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 740,000 tonnes annually by replacing hydrocarbons with hydrogen.
The plant will replace Stanlow’s current boiler units, which generate nearly 50 MW of power for refinery operations. It is a key part of EET Fuels’ plan to cut emissions by 95% by 2030, making Stanlow the world’s lowest carbon refinery. The investment will also provide low-carbon power to other industrial users in the region, supporting their decarbonization goals.
EET Hydrogen Power will operate as an independent vertical within EET. The $3 billion investment in building this hydrogen-ready power plant is part of EET’s broader energy transition initiatives in northwest England.
EET comprises EET Hydrogen Power, EET Fuels (owner of the Stanlow Refinery), EET Hydrogen (developing over 1.35 GW of blue and green hydrogen capacity for the UK market), and Stanlow Terminals (UK’s largest independent bulk liquid storage terminal).
Tony Fountain, managing partner of Essar Energy Transition, said, “Launching EET Hydrogen Power shows our commitment to putting the UK at the forefront of low carbon energy. This project demonstrates our pathway to decarbonizing high-emitting industries.”
Rob Wallace, CEO of EET Hydrogen Power, added, “We aim to make Stanlow a low carbon transition hub. EET Hydrogen Power will be Europe’s first 100% hydrogen-ready gas-turbine plant, supplied with low-carbon hydrogen from EET Hydrogen, contributing to regional emission reduction targets.”
