Stanlow, 24 April 2025 – Essar Energy Transition (EET) congratulates ENI and the UK Government on achieving financial close on the core CO2 transport and storage project that underpins the HyNet Cluster (the Liverpool Bay CCS).  We are delighted that ENI’s construction phase will now begin on the infrastructure enabling HyNet; vital to massive reductions in CO2 emissions and enabling much needed investment, protecting and growing jobs and industries across North West England and North Wales.

EET Hydrogen’s HPP1 project is one of the four initial projects that will provide CO2 to this infrastructure for permanent storage.  HPP1 is expected to be the UK’s first large low carbon hydrogen plant with capacity of 350MW and capturing some 600,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum – equivalent to taking 125,000 cars off the road.

EET’s Stanlow Manufacturing Complex is located at the heart of HyNet, anchored by the EET Fuels’ refinery which is a major offtake and enabler of HPP1.  EET’s projects, supported by today’s announcement, are transforming Stanlow into a world-leading energy transition hub that can capture around 2 million tonnes from the refinery through its wider decarbonisation programme, which includes electrification and carbon capture, as well as further hydrogen production (HPP2) and development of sustainable aviation fuels.  Stanlow is also expected to play a key role in enabling other low carbon high tech businesses to benefit from the local hydrogen production and CO2 infrastructure.

Tony Fountain, Managing Partner of Essar Energy Transition:

“Congratulations to ENI and the UK government on reaching this milestone today.  The HyNet CO2 pipeline is a game-changer for industry in the North West and confirms the unique positioning of our Stanlow Manufacturing Complex as an energy transition hub.

This presents huge opportunities for the future growth of North West businesses and ensures Stanlow can pursue its goal of being one of Europe’s leading decarbonised refineries, providing the UK with fuel security for many years.”

Joe Seifert, CEO of EET Hydrogen:

“We are very proud of the position that EET Hydrogen’s HPP1 project has as an anchor project in HyNet. Today’s announcement provides great momentum as we progress towards the construction phase of our flagship project”

EET Hydrogen is unlocking the next era of economic growth in the North West, securing agreements to supply over 30 businesses across industrial, power, and transport sectors with locally produced low carbon hydrogen.

With 10 new Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) agreements signed in recent months, the continued demand signals a major boost for the region’s low carbon economy. Switching to low carbon hydrogen will create jobs, attract investment and strengthen the North West’s position as a leading low carbon energy hub.

The production of reliable, low carbon hydrogen at scale enables industry to future-proof their operations. Low carbon hydrogen, produced at EET Hydrogen’s second hydrogen production plant (HPP2), will help nationally important industry to grow through the securing of vital investment and jobs in the UK’s leading manufacturing region.

The customers span ten vital sectors from chemicals, glass, power, automotive, construction, refining, aerospace, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals and ground transport. Some of these agreements are with businesses looking to deliver new investment in hydrogen fuelled plants in the region.

Marta Csibra, Head of Strategy and Business Development at EET Hydrogen, said: “The North West hosts approximately 340,000 industrial jobs supplying vital products and services across the UK, and beyond.  Industry needs to transition to flourish in a low carbon future and EET Hydrogen is committed to enabling decarbonisation, rather than deindustrialisation.

The signed MoUs reflect a total demand of ~29 TWh/year, equivalent to a hydrogen production capacity of ~3.3GW; demonstrating the substantial growth and decarbonisation opportunity from hydrogen; within HyNet and beyond.”

HPP2 will be co-located with HPP1 at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex with a proposed production capacity of up to 1000 MW, enough energy to power a city like Liverpool, capturing up to 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 per year (the equivalent of taking around 700,000 cars off the road). HPP2 is currently in the Government’s Track 1 Expansion process for HyNet.