Cheshire Council approves UK’s largest low-carbon hydrogen production hub

Groundbreaking initiative to reduce 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions, foster low-carbon refining, and drive industrial decarbonisation.

Cheshire West & Chester Council has given its approval for groundbreaking plans by EET Hydrogen to establish the first large-scale, low-carbon hydrogen production plant (HPP1) in the UK, situated 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 expected to contribute to a reduction of 2.5 million tonnes in carbon emissions annually in the North West – equivalent to taking 1.1 million cars off the roads.

The hydrogen produced will be utilised locally by the Essar refinery and other major manufacturers in the region, including Tata Chemicals, Encirc, and Pilkington, fostering the development of the world’s first low-carbon refining operations, glass, and chemicals manufacturing sites. The EET Hydrogen hub is poised to bolster and expand vital industries, generate employment opportunities, and unlock substantial investment.

EET intends to execute the development of the hydrogen hub in phases, with the first plant (HPP1) having a capacity of 350MW, the second (HPP2) with a capacity of 1,000MW, and an overall target capacity exceeding 4,000MW by 2030. These plants play a crucial role in meeting the UK’s hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation targets while establishing essential hydrogen infrastructure.

This development serves as a key component of HyNet – the UK’s leading industrial decarbonisation cluster. Construction is projected to commence on HPP1 in 2024, with low-carbon hydrogen expected to be produced at the site by 2027.

Richard Holden, HPP1 Project Manager at EET Hydrogen, said:
“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.”