Essar Energy Transition inaugurates Europe’s first 100% hydrogen power plant

Essar Energy Transition announces the launch of EET Hydrogen Power, an innovative hydrogen power plant at its Stanlow refinery, aimed at drastically reducing the UK's CO2 emissions by 2027.

Share:

Essar Energy Transition (EET) recently announced the development of EET Hydrogen Power, the first combined heat and power (CHP) plant powered entirely by hydrogen in Europe. The facility will be located at the Stanlow refinery in the UK, and should be operational by 2027. The project is part of a wider strategy to decarbonize the UK’s industry and energy system, in line with the government’s emissions reduction targets. Thanks to the government’s efforts, greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 5.4% in 2023.

An Ambitious Project for Decarbonization

The EET Hydrogen Power project represents a major step forward in the energy transition. Once completed, the plant will replace Stanlow’s existing boiler units, providing up to 125 MW of power and 6,000 tonnes of steam per day, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 740,000 tonnes per year. This will make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of operations at the Stanlow refinery, which aims to reduce its total emissions by 95% by 2030.

Impact on industry and employment

EET Hydrogen Power will play a crucial role in the decarbonization plans of the HyNet industrial cluster, serving as a model for future industrial and energy decarbonization projects. In addition, this investment will support the growth of high-skilled employment in the North West of England, consolidating the region’s position as a center of clean energy innovation.

Investments and future prospects

This project is part of EET’s $3 billion energy transition initiatives in the North West of England. In addition to the hydrogen power plant, EET is also developing blue and green hydrogen production capacity of over 1.35 GW for the UK market, with a future ambition of 4 GW. Essar Energy Transition is committed to becoming a leader in low-carbon hydrogen production, while supporting the development of transport and storage infrastructure for biofuels and new energies.
The EET Hydrogen Power initiative demonstrates Essar Energy Transition’s commitment to positioning the UK at the forefront of low-carbon energy. By replacing hydrocarbons with hydrogen, this project represents a crucial step towards the decarbonization of carbon-intensive industries. The success of this plant could serve as a roadmap for other similar projects around the world, highlighting the potential of hydrogen technologies in the fight against climate change.

Hynamics UK and Hy24 have signed an exclusive agreement to develop the Fawley Green Hydrogen project, backed by the UK HAR2 scheme, to supply green hydrogen to ExxonMobil's petrochemical complex.
China has approved the construction of a strategic pipeline to transport green hydrogen from Inner Mongolia to Beijing, facilitating supply to industrial zones around the capital and boosting a rapidly expanding energy economy.
The European Commission introduces a greenhouse gas emissions methodology for low-carbon hydrogen, establishing a long-awaited regulatory framework for the sector and paving the way for new industrial investments.
French company Lhyfe has carried out its first successful green hydrogen combustion tests in Spain, delivering three tonnes over three weeks to the Valencian ceramic industry, opening a new potential alternative to industrial fossil natural gas.
Envision announces the official commissioning of the world's largest green hydrogen and ammonia plant in China, powered by an autonomous renewable energy system and entirely AI-driven, with exports planned from late 2025.
Sumitomo Corporation announces a strategic investment in Independence Hydrogen aimed at developing new decentralized hydrogen production and distribution projects in the United States, targeting industrial, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.
80 Mile announces that it has increased its stake in Hydrogen Valley to 49% and signed a memorandum of understanding with Tecnoparco for the supply of 40,000 tonnes of biofuel per year, aiming to reduce palm oil dependency.
The Hive Coega project, South Africa’s most ambitious green ammonia initiative, enters its operational phase with the release of tenders for essential infrastructure, marking a major step forward for the country in renewable energy production.
The Belfort commercial court has approved the sale of McPhy to John Cockerill Hydrogen, a €600,000 transaction involving majority retention of staff and an industrial project partially funded by European subsidies.
The City of Fresno becomes the latest member of First Public Hydrogen, the first US public authority dedicated to hydrogen development, thus strengthening its energy infrastructure and municipal bus fleet.
The official confirmation in June 2025 by the French government regarding the detection of significant natural hydrogen reserves in Lorraine, the Pyrenees, and Aquitaine could represent a major strategic turning point for national and European energy sovereignty. However, the technical, economic, and environmental challenges associated with its exploitation might slow its large-scale implementation.
Stanwell announces the end of its participation in the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project, a major international hydrogen production initiative, raising questions about the sector's outlook in the region.
Lhyfe becomes the first French producer to obtain European RFNBO certification, delivering the first batches of certified hydrogen and opening access to new support mechanisms for the industrial sector.
Tree Energy Solutions and CPC Finland will produce 125,000 tonnes annually of e-NG at the Finnish port of Rauma, targeting European and international markets with a significant investment.
The European Commission grants €3.5mn to support preparatory work for a Franco-German cross-border network aimed at transporting hydrogen between the Grand Est region and Baden-Württemberg starting in 2029.
French company McPhy Energy awaits a court decision regarding offers submitted during its judicial reorganization, paving the way for probable liquidation and potential delisting of its shares.
The majority-Indigenous-owned Canadian manufacturer HyVera Distributed Energy is introducing an eCat pellet that instantly produces ultra-pure green hydrogen without external electricity and is counting on two pilot plants to simplify industrial supply.
Underground hydrogen storage, essential to support its growth, continues to face significantly higher costs than natural gas storage, along with major technical challenges hindering its competitiveness against conventional energies.
Singapore-based hydrogen specialist Hydrexia seals a protocol with Indonesian gas giant Samator to deploy purification, transport and storage of hydrogen, betting on rapidly growing local demand and export outlets to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cadiz Inc. signs a memorandum of understanding with British company Hoku Energy for a large-scale energy project including green hydrogen, solar power, and digital infrastructure in the Californian desert, projecting annual revenues of up to $10mn.