The UK government has approved a significant carbon storage project, with Essar Energy Transition (EET) taking a central role in the initiative, EET announced on Friday. The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has issued three carbon storage permits to Eni for the Liverpool Bay Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) system.
This CO2 transportation and storage network will serve the HyNet industrial cluster, capturing carbon emissions from major industrial sources in north-west England and north Wales. The first phase of the HyNet project aims to store 109 million tonnes of CO2 in the East Irish Sea, 20 miles from Liverpool, over 25 years. This is equivalent to removing 60.1 million cars from the roads for one year.
“EET congratulates Eni and the UK Government on achieving financial close for the core carbon transport and storage component of the HyNet Industrial Cluster (the Liverpool Bay CCS),” the company said in a statement. “We are excited that Eni will now begin construction on the infrastructure necessary for HyNet, which is crucial for significant carbon emissions reductions, creating vital investments, and supporting jobs and industries in North West England and North Wales.”
EET’s Hydrogen Production Plant 1 (HPP1) is one of the initial four projects that will supply carbon to the storage infrastructure. HPP1 is expected to become the UK’s first large-scale low-carbon hydrogen plant, with a 350 MW capacity and the ability to capture approximately 600,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to taking 125,000 cars off the road.
EET’s Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, located at the heart of the HyNet cluster, will be pivotal in enabling the hydrogen production and carbon capture projects. The refinery at Stanlow, part of EET Fuels, will be a major offtake point for HPP1. Through its broader decarbonisation program, which includes electrification, carbon capture, and the development of additional hydrogen production plants and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), the Stanlow Complex is set to capture about 2 million tonnes of carbon annually.
Stanlow is also expected to support the growth of other low-carbon, high-tech businesses by leveraging the local hydrogen production and carbon capture infrastructure.
Tony Fountain, Managing Partner of Essar Energy Transition, commented, “Congratulations to Eni and the UK government for reaching this major milestone. The HyNet CO2 pipeline will transform industry in the North West and highlights the unique role of our Stanlow Manufacturing Complex as an energy transition hub. This creates significant opportunities for local businesses and ensures Stanlow can meet its goal of becoming one of Europe’s leading decarbonised refineries, securing the UK’s fuel needs for years to come.”
Joe Seifert, CEO of EET Hydrogen, added, “We are proud of EET Hydrogen’s position as an anchor project within HyNet. This announcement gives us great momentum as we move forward with the construction phase of our flagship project.”
EET Fuels, part of the Essar Group, is a leading player in the energy transition sector, driving advancements in low-carbon energy solutions. As the owner of the Stanlow Refinery in the UK, EET Fuels is at the forefront of decarbonizing industrial processes by integrating innovative technologies such as carbon capture, hydrogen production, and renewable energy solutions.
The company is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 95% at its refinery, aiming to transform Stanlow into a sustainable energy hub. With significant investments in financing facilities and partnerships, EET Fuels is setting benchmarks for industrial decarbonization, supporting global efforts toward a cleaner, greener energy future.
