Stanlow, 13 December 2021: Stanlow Terminals Limited (STL) today announced it will make investments over the next three years to develop the UK’s largest biofuels storage hub located in the North West of England.
The major investment is a key pillar in Stanlow Terminals’ strategic objective to become the UK’s largest bulk liquid storage and energy infrastructure solutions provider. It will deliver 300,000 cubic metres of capacity to support customers in delivering the UK’s net zero transition.
The new facilities at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex and Tranmere Terminal, located within the Port of Liverpool, will allow customers to store, blend and distribute bio-fuels suitable for use in the energy transition as drop-in replacement transport fuels for road, aviation and marine.
Stanlow Terminals already provides biofuels storage capacity for customers through dedicated supply and delivery infrastructure. This new customer led investment will support the growth of initiatives such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) linked to Fulcrum’s Northpoint project, sustainable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and will include waste based feedstock import facilities, blending and capacity expansion for existing bio-ethanol and bio-methanol. The market for energy from renewable sources in the UK is expanding rapidly, driven by legislative obligations to encourage lower carbon fuels.
Additional storage investment opportunities for low carbon energy products, such as e-fuels, bio-LPG, bio-methane, hydrogen and ammonia are all progressing through feasibility studies.
These investments reflects the growing demand from partners and customers who are seeking storage facilities and expertise in future fuels handling, as businesses across the economy look to decarbonise and operate in a more sustainable way.
Earlier this year, Stanlow Terminals joined forces with parent company Essar and Fulcrum BioEnergy to develop a storage facility at Stanlow for sustainable aviation fuel manufactured from non-recyclable household waste. The project will support the aviation industry’s continued reduction of carbon emissions and will support the UK drive towards becoming a net-zero economy.
Stanlow Terminals is also supporting the UK’s hydrogen economy and the HyNet North West project by developing storage and distribution facilities that will be required for the future to provide a multi modal hydrogen and carbon dioxide transport hub.
Prashant Ruia, Essar Non-executive Chairman, said: “These key investments, and continued growth of our strategic relationships with customers, means Stanlow Terminals is firmly on track to becoming the largest sustainable storage and logistics hub in the UK. The Government has set out a clear plan for decarbonising the economy and we are committed to playing our part in helping to achieve that.”
Michael Gaynon, Stanlow Terminals Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The energy industry is changing. As the world comes together to develop innovative ways of generating sustainable energy, the supporting storage and transportation infrastructure needs to evolve. We’re primed to lead the national charge and create the UK’s first sustainable energy hub. Utilising our strong geographical position, and experience in the energy sector, we are providing solutions based on the ability to safely handle energy products to meet the needs of society’s net zero goal.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
About Stanlow Terminals Limited
Stanlow Terminals is the largest independent bulk liquid storage business in the UK, with 3 million cubic metres of capacity. Located on the Mersey Estuary within the Port of Liverpool we are a critical piece of national infrastructure. A port asset, with eight jetties and deep water facilities, Stanlow Terminals offers flexible and efficient import and export of bulk liquids. Our multi-modal distribution network includes Europe’s largest road terminal, rail connectivity, excellent links to the UK’s motorway network and pipeline connections to deliver energy products into the UK. Stanlow Terminals offers unrivalled connectivity for our customers.
About Essar in the UK
Essar Oil UK is a leading UK-focused downstream energy company whose main asset is the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, one of the most advanced refineries in Europe situated close to the major cities of Liverpool and Manchester. Stanlow has 800 employees, and is a key strategic national asset, annually producing over 16% of the UK’s road transport fuels, while playing a key role in Britain’s broader petrochemical industry. Since acquiring Stanlow in 2011, Essar has invested $1 billion in margin improvement and other efficiency initiatives to ensure the refinery remains competitive in a rapidly changing market.
The company is a major supplier in the North West and beyond with customers including most of the major retail brands operated by international oil companies and supermarkets,Manchester Airport, leading commercial airlines and the region’s trains and buses. Essar is committed to playing a key role in the decarbonisation of the UK economy, with ambitious plans to build a green energy industrial cluster at Stanlow. These include the construction of two new low carbon hydrogen production units on site as part of the HyNet consortium, with a planned total investment of approximately £750m to deliver the hydrogen production hubs. Follow on capacity growth is planned to reach 80% of the UK Government’s new target of 5GW of low carbon hydrogen for power, transport, industry and homes by 2030. The company is also working with Fulcrum BioEnergy on a £600 million project to create a new facility to convert several hundred thousand tonnes of non-recyclable household waste each year into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use by airlines operating at UK airports.
About Fulcrum BioEnergy Limited
Fulcrum BioEnergy is pioneering the conversion of non-recyclable residual wastes and residues into sustainable transportation fuels, with a focus on the aviation sector. Founded in 2007, the Company has since developed a proprietary process, using commercially proven technology, to convert waste that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated, into low carbon, ultra clean burning liquid fuels.
For more information:
Ian Cotton, Head of Communications, Essar Oil UK
Ian.Cotton@Essaroil.co.uk / 07805 854169