Stanlow oil refinery close to the Mersey is the epicentre of a £3bn hydrogen hub and owner Essar Oil UK will leverage that in a bid to become the world’s first decarbonised refinery

Stanlow produces about 2m tonnes a year of CO2 which makes it the biggest emitter in the region and a prime candidate for decarbonisation,

Stanlow is the nerve centre of the Government-backed HyNet hydrogen project. Comprising multiple partners, it will produce hydrogen for large industrial clients such as glassmaker Pilkington, consumer products giant Unilever and glass container manufacturer Encirc.

Infrastructure costs for the project will be around £18bn with operating expenditure up to 2050 estimated to be in the region of £30bn. The Government hopes it will make a big contribution to the UK’s net zero carbon targets.

Stanlow will be home to a production hub, costing up to £3bn. It will comprise two initial hydrogen production facilities built by EET Hydrogen, a joint venture between refinery owner Essar Oil UK and low carbon energy firm Progressive Energy.

CCS and Hydrogen