Essar Energy Transition Plans 200,000 Tonne SAF Hub at Stanlow Refinery

energetica-india.net

by retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 points

Essar Energy Transition has finished the pre-FEED stage for a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility 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 the production hub directly into existing refinery infrastructure, the project reduces costs and simplifies the blending and distribution of low-carbon fuels to UK airports. A final investment decision is expected by early 2028 to help meet the UK's 2040 aviation fuel mandates.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Essar is moving forward with a methanol-to-jet plant at Stanlow. They want 200k tonnes of SAF per year. It is a smart move to use existing refinery pipes and storage to keep costs down.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

The logistics side looks solid since they already have the pipelines. My question is about the feedstock. 550k tonnes of renewable methanol is a lot of volume. Where is that actually coming from and is the supply chain ready for 2028?

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The mention of the Revenue Certainty Mechanism is the real story here. Without a guaranteed price floor or subsidy, these SAF projects struggle to reach FID. The UK mandate creates the demand, but the RCM provides the bankability.

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Integrating this into an old refinery is always cheaper than a greenfield site, but I wonder about the actual retrofit costs for the blending units. Those hidden engineering hurdles usually pop up during the full FEED stage.

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see the shift toward e-methanol. If they can actually source low-carbon intensity feedstock, this could significantly move the needle for UK aviation emissions.