en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK's Essar Energy Transition (EET) recently announced that its Stanlow Methanol-to-Jet (MtJ) project, located in the North West of England, has completed the Pre-Front End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) phase. The project is planned to be built within the existing Stanlow refinery complex, utilizing approximately 550,000 tonnes per year of renewable e-methanol and bio-methanol feedstock to produce over 200,000 tonnes of advanced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

By co-locating the MtJ facility with the refinery, the SAF can be blended directly with conventional jet fuel from Essar Energy Transition Fuels. Leveraging existing export infrastructure such as the Manchester Jet Fuel Pipeline, the Midline Pipeline, and the UK Oil Pipeline system (UKOP), as well as road and water distribution networks, the SAF can be supplied directly to major UK airports and airlines.

Renewable methanol feedstock will be sourced from multiple domestic and international supply channels. Leveraging the existing import and storage capabilities of Stanlow Terminals Ltd, the project can reduce capital expenditure while securing low-cost, low-carbon intensity methanol feedstock.

The Pre-FEED phase was supported by a grant of up to £2.5 million from the UK Government's Department for Transport Advanced Fuels Fund and was completed in collaboration with engineering company Genesis. The study covered technology assessment, commercial analysis, site selection justification, MtJ technology maturity, refinery facility integration, carbon intensity performance, and environmental compliance.

The study results confirmed that the Stanlow manufacturing complex has the capacity to accommodate all facility requirements; there are no major obstacles to permitting; there is strong market interest in the supply of renewable methanol; integration opportunities exist to reduce costs and carbon intensity; and Essar Energy Transition Fuels will offtake the entire production volume under the UK's SAF mandate.

Ruth Herbert, Managing Director and Chief Business Development Officer of Essar Energy Transition, stated: "Completion of Pre-FEED confirms Stanlow MtJ as a leading UK SAF project. By embedding advanced SAF production directly into a large-scale refining system, with existing blending, logistics, and offtake capability, we are fundamentally reducing risk, cost, and complexity. As the UK moves from ambition to obligation under the SAF mandate, projects that can deliver reliably, competitively, and at scale will be critical."

Helen Coleman, Managing Director of Genesis, said: "We are proud to have played a key role in this important Pre-FEED study. By applying first-class technical and advisory capabilities, we have delivered a robust and forward-looking assessment, confirming the Stanlow manufacturing complex as a credible location for a large-scale MtJ SAF project."

The next step for the project is planned to commence Front End Engineering Design (FEED) later this year, targeting a Final Investment Decision (FID) in early 2028. The Stanlow MtJ project is a key component of Essar Energy Transition's multi-billion dollar investment plan for energy transition initiatives in the North West of England, aimed at supporting high-skilled local job growth. Once completed, the project will provide critical capacity for the UK to meet its mandate target of 22% SAF in total jet fuel by 2040, while also helping to decarbonize the wider European aviation sector.

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