The Cheshire West & Chester Council has granted approval for EET Hydrogen's groundbreaking plans to establish the UK's first large-scale, low-carbon hydrogen production plant (HPP1) at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. Comprising two plants, HPP1 and HPP2, the hydrogen hub aims to facilitate the transition of local industrial and power generation businesses from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy. This initiative is anticipated to contribute to an annual reduction of 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions in the North West, equivalent to removing 1.1 million cars from the roads.

The hydrogen produced by the EET Hydrogen hub at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex will be utilized locally by the Essar refinery and major manufacturers in the region, including Tata Chemicals, Encirc, and Pilkington. This initiative aims to establish the world's first low-carbon refining operations, glass manufacturing, and chemicals manufacturing sites. The hydrogen hub is expected to play a crucial role in securing and expanding vital industries, generating employment opportunities, and unlocking substantial investments. EET plans to develop the hydrogen hub in phases, starting with the first plant (HPP1) at a capacity of 350MW, followed by the second plant (HPP2) at 1,000MW capacity, with an overall target capacity exceeding 4,000MW by 2030. These plants are essential to meet the UK's hydrogen and industrial decarbonization goals, facilitating the development of critical hydrogen infrastructure.

This development is a significant component of HyNet, the UK's leading industrial decarbonization cluster. Construction for HPP1 is set to commence in 2024, with low-carbon hydrogen production at the site expected by 2027. Richard Holden, HPP1 Project Manager at EET Hydrogen, emphasized the project's importance, stating, “This is the largest low carbon hydrogen project in the UK and one of the most advanced in the world. It is a vital piece of the North West’s journey to net zero, underpinning HyNet and providing the opportunity for manufacturers in the region to decarbonise their processes and support UK jobs. We have worked closely with regional stakeholders and are delighted to obtain this important approval for the project as we move from ambition to action”.