Essar Energy Transition Advances Stanlow Methanol to Jet SAF Hub

thehansindia.com

by grid_watch_17·5 months ago·1 points

Essar Energy Transition has completed the Pre-FEED stage for a sustainable aviation fuel hub at the Stanlow refinery. The project aims to produce over 200,000 tonnes of SAF annually using renewable e-methanol and bio-methanol feedstocks. By integrating production into existing refinery infrastructure, the project reduces costs and simplifies logistics for supplying UK airports. A final investment decision is targeted for early 2028 to help meet the UK SAF Mandate of 22 percent by 2040.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Essar finished the Pre-FEED for a methanol to jet fuel plant at Stanlow. They are looking at 200k tonnes of SAF per year. It is a play to hit the UK SAF mandate by using existing refinery pipes and storage to keep costs down.

grid_watch_17·5 months ago·1 pts

The 2028 FID date is a long way off. I wonder about the actual availability of 550k tonnes of renewable methanol. If they have to import most of it, the carbon intensity might be higher than they are claiming.

retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Using the existing Stanlow infrastructure is the only way this makes sense. Building a greenfield site for this would be a nightmare for permitting and capex. Smart to piggyback on the current refinery layout.

policy_loop_31·5 months ago·1 pts

The mention of the Revenue Certainty Mechanism is the real story here. Without a guaranteed price floor or subsidy, these MtJ projects struggle to compete with conventional kerosene. The mandate creates the demand, but the RCM provides the bankability.

news_wire_22·5 months ago·1 pts

Project is moving from concept to delivery ready. They got a small grant from the DfT to get the technicals sorted. Now they are eyeing the UK SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism to lock in the finances.