Essar Energy Transition Fuels (EET Fuels) is investing £1.2bn to reduce carbon emissions by 95% before 2030 from its Stanlow refinery operations. The business is playing a key role in the UK’s plans to reduce emissions and contribute to the UK’s goal of being the first major economy to set a ‘net zero’ emissions target. It will also significantly contribute to reducing the carbon emissions of the Cheshire West and Chester sub-region, playing a key role on the delivery of its climate emergency response plan.
As part of this strategy, we plan to build a new industrial carbon capture (ICC) unit to capture the carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the existing fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) unit, and in doing so, aim to clean the unit’s emissions by reducing other contaminants such as particulate matter, Sulfur Oxides (SOx) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is being prepared and due to be submitted with the planning application, which will provide a full modelling assessment.
In addition, we intend to build a new carbon monoxide boiler with a similar configuration to fulfil the same purpose of the existing carbon monoxide boiler at Stanlow Refinery. The purpose of the new carbon monoxide boiler is to generate steam, recovering heat from the full combustion of the carbon monoxide (CO) present in the flue gas stream from the existing FCC unit.
The project will help contribute to the UK Government Net Zero carbon emission by 2050 target and to Cheshire West and Chester own carbon dioxide reduction targets.
Stanlow Manufacturing Complex is the UK’s second largest refinery producing over 16% of the UK’s transport fuels and feedstocks for the chemical and pharmaceutical supply chains.
EET Fuels plans to submit a planning application for the ICC development, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to Cheshire West and Chester Council in Summer 2025.
EET Fuels is currently progressing the project design and has appointed specialists to undertake technical assessments of matters such as noise, transport and ecology. These assessments will support the planning application in the form of an EIA.
In line with the future decarbonisation initiatives for environmental sustainability and to meet the energy requirements for ongoing and future refinery operations, EET Fuels is to install a new ICC unit to capture CO2, and a new CO boiler.
The proposed ICC project will achieve decarbonisation by implementing carbon capture to mitigate approximately 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of CO2. This accounts for approximately 47% of the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex’s CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the project will aim to reduce other contaminants from the FCC stack, materially reducing odour and Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) exceedance events. A full EIA is being prepared, which will provide a full modelling assessment.
The main objective of the ICC project is to capture CO2 generated by the existing FCC unit and sequester it permanently, via a CO2 pipeline, in the Northwest Cluster CO2 Transport and Storage (T&S) system. The proposed development will contribute to the decarbonisation of Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, the Hynet industrial cluster and the UK’s net zero emissions targets.
A secondary objective of the project is to replace the existing CO Boiler with a new CO Boiler with a similar configuration. The replacement of the existing CO Boiler is required because it has reached its end of life and will therefore be decommissioned but remain in-situ.
The project utilises extensive pre-existing infrastructure such as grid connections, water supply and industrial land availability and will be located within the southern area of Stanlow Manufacturing Complex.
The ICC Unit will consist of the following works:
The new CO Boiler will oxidise CO rich flue gases from the FCC unit to produce steam. The fully combusted flue gas stream (rich in CO2) will then be routed to the EET ICC where impurities will be removed before capturing the CO2.
When will EET Fuels be making the planning application?
It is the intention to submit a full planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council in Summer 2025.
Who makes the decisions on the planning application?
Cheshire West and Chester Council will have the final decision on the planning application.
How do I find/ respond to the planning application?
Once EET has submitted its planning application, Cheshire West and Chester Council will have a page on its planning website and comments can be made there. In the meantime, any queries/ feedback can be made directly to EET Fuels , as set out below.
Are all the activities within the existing refinery site?
Yes, the entire development for which the application is being made is within the curtilage of the existing refinery.
If approved, how long before the works start and become operational?
Subject to planning permission being granted, the plan is to start work in December 2026. This will mean that the ICC Unit can be commissioned by early-mid 2029.
Will these activities be noisy or dusty?
Activities which do generate noise, or dust will be identified and mitigated wherever possible.
Will I see any difference to the refinery?
Yes, the proposed development includes buildings and structures including a 140m height stack for the new CO Boiler and an 81.3m height stack for the ICC Unit. The remainder of the proposed works would be a maximum of 51.5m in height. The development may change existing views of the refinery, particularly from the south of the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex and to the north from the low-lying landscape associated with the River Mersey.
Will there be increased traffic on the roads/railway?
The material demolished on site will need to leave the refinery by road. The refinery includes a storage area where materials can be stored and re-used where possible. The materials for the new build construction will also need to be delivered to the site.
Who should I contact if I have more questions/ How do I comment on the proposals?
Before submitting the planning application, EET Fuels is giving local people and stakeholders the chance to share their feedback on the proposals by holding a 5 week public consultation between 4 December 2024 and 10 January 2025. To provide your feedback on the proposals outlined please email: communications@eetfuels.com to provide comments.
