Vertex Hydrogen Launched in UK
Strategic Research Institute
Published on :
11 May, 2022, 6:30 am
Vertex Hydrogen is a transformative new joint venture between Essar and Progressive Energy formed to provide a catalyst for a low carbon economy across North West England and North Wales, as a central part of the HyNet decarbonisation cluster. A total investment of approximately GBP 1 billion will be committed to deliver the hydrogen production hub. The UK’s first low carbon hydrogen plant will sit at the heart of the HyNet low carbon cluster. Beginning production in 2026, it will generate over 1GW of hydrogen, the equivalent to the energy used by a major British city region, for example Liverpool.
Waste fuel gases from Essar Stanlow, and natural gas, will be converted by Vertex Hydrogen into hydrogen, with carbon dioxide safely captured and stored by HyNet partner Eni SpA, underground offshore in Liverpool Bay. The hydrogen production hub will provide low carbon energy to replace fossil fuels in industry across the HyNet region, as well as heating homes, and fuelling buses, trains and trucks.
The hydrogen produced will, in the first instance, be utilised by Essar to reduce its carbon footprint at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex. In addition, Vertex will also provide low carbon hydrogen to a wide range of businesses, including companies from the chemicals, ceramics, paper, glass and flexible power generation sectors, such as Tata Chemicals Europe, Encirc, InterGen, Solvay, Ingevity, Novelis, Glass Futures and Saica Paper – all having expressed interest already. More widely in the region, companies such as Pilkington are demonstrating use of hydrogen in their facilities. Cadent Gas Ltd is also developing the UK’s first multi-user hydrogen distribution network within HyNet.