The furnace is set replace three existing furnaces and is expected to run off a 100% hydrogen fuel source from 2026, contributing to Essar’s strategy at Stanlow to become the UK’s first low-carbon refinery.
Essar have said it plans to source hydrogen for the furnace, from its joint venture with Progressive Energy, Vertex Hydrogen, which unveiled plans for a 1GW hydrogen production hub which will be a central part of the HyNet cluster.
Read more: Plans unveiled for 1GW hydrogen production hub in the UK
Read more: HyNet Hydrogen Production Plant – the UK’s first large-scale low carbon hydrogen facility
The company has said once fuelled by 100% hydrogen the furnace has potential to eliminate 242,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from its Stanlow operations.
Deepak Maheshwari, CEO at Essar Oil UK, said, “We are pleased that the furnace has arrived in the Port of Liverpool.
“We have embarked on a major investment programme to upgrade Essar’s infrastructure and future-proof our organisation as leaders in the transition to low-carbon and this furnace is one of many steps being taken to become the UK’s first low-carbon refinery.
“The future of decarbonised energy is being built and we are playing a key role in supporting the UK’s plans for building the low carbon economy of tomorrow.”
H2 View understands the furnace module will be transported to Essar later this summer (2022), via the Manchester Canal, with a view to become operational in 2023.
Claudio Veritiero, CEO of Peel Ports, Port of Liverpool operator, commented, “We are delighted to have played a key role in this important project, as a leading and sustainable port operator we fully support the transition to hydrogen and the benefits this will bring in the reduction of carbon emissions.
“We’re proud to have worked with Essar and other partners to deliver this important element of the project which will position Liverpool and the North West at the forefront of greener energy production. This fits perfectly with our own ambition to become a Net Zero port operator by 2040.”
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