Thornton Science Park has been acquired by Essar Energy Transition (EET) through a signed sale and purchase agreement. This transaction has been completed as part of EET’s plan to create one of Europe’s leading energy transition hubs. The company decided to do this, due to their aim to lead the North West’s energy transition.

A significant role has been played by Thornton Science Park, which neighbours EET Fuel’s Stanlow Manufacturing Complex and spans sixty-six acres. This role involves identifying sustainable energy sources, which are being sought out in order to help address meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions target.

Creating this agreement falls in line with EET’s US$3bn investment, which has been placed into the energy transition throughout the UK North West. Furthermore, the plan behind acquiring Thornton Science Park, is to turn the park into a place which will serve as an energy transition hub. This means that Thornton Science Park will become the UK headquarters for EET and this means the company will also be the headquarters for, EET Fuels, EET Hydrogen and finally, EET Hydrogen Power.

EET fuels is currently working towards transitioning Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, with the intention for it to become the UK’s first low carbon refinery. EET Hydrogen is developing one of the first large scale, low carbon hydrogen production hubs in the world. This complex will specialise in capturing and storing CO2 through the use of HyNet’s carbon capture infrastructure. EET Hydrogen Power is developing Europe’s first hydrogen fuelled combined heat and power plant.

Finally, Stanlow Terminals Ltd, which is the UK’s largest independent bulk liquid storage terminal, is working towards developing transport and storage infrastructure for CO2, biofuels and new energies. Stanlow Terminals and Eni UK are aiming to evaluate opportunities which will establish an open-access CO2 transport and storage terminal. The benefits of creating this, will be that it is capable of receiving, gathering and storing CO2 that comes from industrial emitters, as well as other sources via shipping.

CEO, EET Fuels, Deepak Maheshwari, commented, “The acquisition of Thornton Science Park represents the latest step in our ambition to develop Europe’s foremost integrated energy transition hub. Leading by example, Essar Energy Transition is playing its part to ensure that the UK delivers on its climate change goals, enhances energy security, and maintains a strong, secure manufacturing base for fuels.”