European Chemical Industry News & Insights

ExxonMobil's Fawley Refinery Investment Enhances UK Energy Security

At a glance
  • The new facility represents a £800m investment.
  • Production will increase by 40% and reduce imports by a quarter.
  • A new hydrogen plant will support sustainable aviation fuel.
  • First product available next year, full capacity by 2025.

Investment and Economic Impact

ExxonMobil is in the main construction phase of a new low-sulphur diesel facility at the Fawley refinery, representing an investment of over £800m (approx. 1 billion Euro). This facility aims to meet Britain's current energy needs and lay the groundwork for future lower-carbon fuels.

Production and Import Reduction

The facility will increase low-sulphur diesel production at Fawley by 40%, reducing Britain's diesel imports by a quarter. This will help meet demand from sectors such as heavy transport, emergency response, agriculture, and industry.

Hydrogen Plant and Future Fuels

A new hydrogen plant will be added, building on over 50 years of onsite hydrogen production experience. This plant could enable the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as the energy transition progresses.

Job Creation and Timeline

The investment will support more than 400 construction roles and over a hundred suppliers, securing existing skilled jobs at Fawley. The first product is expected to be available to customers next year, with full production capacity online by 2025.