- Essar is investing £45 million in a hydrogen-capable furnace at Stanlow.
- The new furnace will reduce CO2 emissions by 16,600 tonnes annually.
- Installation is set for 2022, with full operation by 2023.
- Hydrogen production at Stanlow will support the HyNet North West decarbonisation cluster.
Investment and Innovation
Essar Oil UK plans to install a £45 million hydrogen-capable furnace at its Stanlow refinery, marking a significant step towards becoming the UK's first low carbon refinery. This new furnace will replace three existing furnaces and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 16,600 tonnes annually.
Project Details
The project involves decommissioning three old furnaces and installing a single, highly efficient furnace with a 71m chimney. The new furnace, currently being fabricated in Thailand, will be delivered almost fully constructed. It boasts a 4% improvement in energy efficiency compared to existing furnaces and will lower maintenance costs.
Timeline and Future Plans
Set for installation in 2022, the furnace will become fully operational by 2023. From 2026 onwards, it will be fueled by hydrogen produced at Stanlow as part of the HyNet North West decarbonisation cluster. This initiative aims to produce 1GW of hydrogen per year, equivalent to the domestic heating energy used by a major British city like Liverpool.
HyNet North West and Hydrogen Production
Essar's new joint venture, Vertex Hydrogen, will develop the world's first and largest blue hydrogen production plant at Stanlow. The hydrogen produced will be used on-site and distributed to industrial businesses in the region, including Tata Chemicals Europe, Encirc, and InterGen, to support their transition to low carbon operations.
