Stanlow (UK), May 18 (IANS). Essar Energy Transitions (EET), which is planning to build a world leading low-carbon process refinery, has completed the Pre-Front End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) phase for one of the UK’s largest advanced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production hubs.
The proposed Stanlow Methanol-to-Jet (MTJ) project, integrated with the company’s Stanlow Refinery infrastructure, will produce over 2 lakh tonnes of advanced SAF per annum using approximately 5.5 lakh tonnes per annum of renewable e-manol and bio-manol feedstock.
The integration of the MTJ facility with the Stanlow Refinery will enable SAF to be blended directly with conventional jet fuel from Essar Energy Transition Fuels.
The fuel will be supplied directly to the UK aviation sector, major airports and airlines using existing export infrastructure, including the Manchester Jet, Midlands and UKOP pipeline systems along with road and marine distribution networks.
Renewable e-manol and bio-manol will be procured from domestic and international supply sources. Utilizing Stanlow Terminals Limited’s existing import and storage facilities will reduce project costs and facilitate access to affordable low-carbon methanol feedstock.
The project is partly funded by the UK Government’s Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuel Fund (AFF), under which it has received a grant of up to £2.5 million.
The pre-feed stage was completed in partnership with Genesis Company. During this period, technical and commercial aspects of the project were evaluated, including site selection, preparation of MTJ technology, refinery integration, carbon emission performance and assessment of environmental regulations.
The pre-FEED stage confirmed that the Stanlow MTJ project is a strong and credible advanced SAF opportunity for the UK.
–The study found that the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex is a suitable location for the facility and has all the necessary facilities.
–There are no major hurdles in permits and approvals.
–There is strong interest in renewable methanol supply.
–The project has many integration possibilities that will reduce both costs and carbon emissions.
— Essar Energy Transition Fuels has also committed to support the full SAF offtake capacity to meet the UK SAF mandate.
Following the successful completion of the Pre-FEED study the project is now preparing to participate in the UK SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) process. The large size of the project, refinery integration, secure logistics and reliable offtake structure will provide a SAF capability capable of ensuring long-term mandate compliance.
The company plans to begin the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase by the end of this year and take the final investment decision (FID) by early 2028.
With all these achievements, the Stanlow MTJ project is no longer just a concept but has emerged as a major investment ready SAF project.
This achievement also strengthens Essar Energy Transition’s future fuel strategy. The project is a key part of the company’s multi-billion dollar energy transition investment program in the North West region of England, which will create large-scale skilled employment opportunities in the North-West.
The SAF production facility, established by Essar Energy Transition with the support of a strong regulatory regime in the North West, represents an important opportunity for the UK’s fuel stability and security and industrial growth. The UK’s SAF mandate targets a 22 per cent SAF mix in total jet fuel by 2040 and the proposed MTJ facility will play a key role in achieving this target.
The plant will help Essar Energy Transition meet its SAF requirements in the 2030s and also contribute to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector in the UK and Europe.
Ruth Herbert, Managing Director and Chief Business Development Officer, Essar Energy Transition, said: “The completion of pre-feed is testament to Stanlow MTJ being the UK’s leading SAF project. It is designed for large-scale operations. By integrating SAF production directly into the larger refinery system with existing blending, logistics and offtake arrangements, we have significantly reduced risk, cost and complexity.”
He said that as the UK moves towards its goals under the SAF mandate, it will be more important to have projects that are reliable, competitive and capable of being produced at scale.
Helen Coleman, Managing Director of Genesis, said that her company is proud to play a key role in this important pre-feed study.
“Our technical and advisory capabilities have proven that the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex is an extremely suitable location for a large-scale MTJ SAF project. This work has helped Essar Energy Transition move forward with confidence into the next phase of development,” he said.
–IANS
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