Major Step forward in Creation of Leading Methanol to Jet Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Hub

May 19, 2026

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(Essar) Essar Energy Transition successfully completes Pre-FEED stage on time and on budget; Methanol-to-Jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility will convert renewable methanol into more than 200,000 tonnes of SAF annually, making it one of the largest advanced SAF facilities in the UK; Uniquely integrated within the Stanlow Refinery, enabling on‑site blending of SAF and direct distribution via established UK pipeline and terminal infrastructure to major airports; Essar Energy Transition will now begin plans to move into FEED stage: the project represents a major opportunity for the North West boosting the energy security of the UK

Essar Energy Transition (EET), which plans to create the world’s leading low carbon process refinery, has completed the Pre-Front End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) stage for one of the UK’s largest advanced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production hubs.

Integrated within the company’s Stanlow refinery’s infrastructure, the planned Stanlow Methanol to Jet (MtJ) project will produce more than 200,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of advanced SAF, using approximately 550,000 tpa of renewable e-methanol and bio-methanol feedstock.

Co-locating the MtJ facility with the Stanlow refinery enables on-site blending of the SAF with the Essar Energy Transition Fuels conventional jet fuel volumes. Utilising the existing export infrastructure, including access to the Manchester Jet, Midlands, and UKOP pipeline systems as well as existing road and marine distribution routes, the SAF can be supplied directly to the UK aviation sector, including major UK airports and airlines.

Renewable e-methanol and bio-methanol will be sourced from a range of domestic and international supply sources. Leveraging existing import and storage capabilities provided by Stanlow Terminals Ltd reduces project capital expenditure, whilst enabling access to the most competitive, low cost and low carbon intensity methanol feedstocks.

Part funded (with an up to £2.5 million grant) through the third window of the UK Government’s Department for Transport’s (DfT) Advanced Fuel Fund (AFF), the Pre-FEED stage was completed in partnership with Genesis, our Pre-FEED Contractor. The Pre-FEED included technical and commercial evaluations of the project, addressing critical aspects such as site selection, MtJ technology readiness, integration with refinery facilities, carbon intensity performance and environmental compliance.

The Pre‑FEED phase reconfirmed that the Stanlow MtJ project represents a highly credible advanced SAF opportunity. The work demonstrated: –

Stanlow Manufacturing Complex is an optimal site with the capacity to accommodate all the facility requirements,
There are no material barriers to permitting and consenting,
Strong interest exists in renewable methanol supply,
Meaningful integration opportunities are available which will lower cost and carbon intensity, and
Essar Energy Transition Fuels is committed to underpinning the full SAF volumes offtake in line with their anticipated UK SAF Mandate requirements.

The successful conclusion of the Pre-FEED study enables Essar Energy Transition to continue the development of this landmark project. The project is now targeting participation in the UK SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) process. The project’s scale, refinery integration, secure logistics, and credible offtake structure will ensure deliverable SAF capacity capable of underpinning long‑term mandate compliance.

Front-end engineering design (FEED) is planned for later this year and Final Investment Decision (FID) by the start of 2028. Collectively, these outcomes confirm the Stanlow MtJ project has transitioned from concept to a delivery‑ready, investment‑grade SAF project.

This milestone demonstrates the strong momentum of Essar Energy Transition’s future fuels ambitions. The Stanlow MtJ project is a crucial component of Essar Energy Transition’s overall multi-billion-dollar investment programme into energy transition initiatives across the North West of England, supporting the growth of high skilled employment in the North West.

Essar Energy Transition’s development of a North West SAF production hub, backed by a robust regulatory regime, represents a vital opportunity for UK fuel resilience and security, and industrial growth. The UK’s SAF Mandate sets an obligation of 22% of total jet fuel by 2040 and the proposed MtJ facility will play a decisive role in meeting this need. This plant will ensure Essar Energy Transition can meet its own SAF obligations in the 2030s while providing critical spare capacity to decarbonise the broader UK and European aviation sectors.

Ruth Herbert, Managing Director and Chief Business Development Officer, Essar Energy Transition, said:

“Completing Pre‑FEED confirms that Stanlow MtJ is a leading UK SAF project; it is a fully integrated, delivery‑ready solution built for scale. By embedding advanced SAF production directly within a large-scale refinery system, with existing blending, logistics and offtake in place, we have fundamentally reduced 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 matter most, and Stanlow MtJ has been deliberately designed to do exactly that”

Helen Coleman, Managing Director, Genesis, said:

We are proud to have played an integral role in the successful completion of this significant Pre‑FEED study. By leveraging our best‑in‑class technical and advisory capabilities, we delivered a robust and forward‑looking assessment that has reaffirmed the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex as a highly credible location for a large‑scale MtJ SAF project. This work has enabled Essar Energy Transition to move forward with confidence as the project progresses toward FEED and the next phase of development.

About Essar Energy Transition

Essar Energy Transition’s vision is to be a leading producer of low carbon fuels and establish a major energy transition hub in the North-West of England. Essar Energy Transition plans to channel over US$3 billion investment in developing a range of low carbon energy transition projects over the next five years in the UK.

EET’s investment programme will play a key role in accelerating the UK’s low carbon transformation, supporting the government’s decarbonisation policy and creating highly skilled employment opportunities at the heart of the North West.

About Genesis Energies

Genesis is a market-leading consulting company focused on providing high-value advisory services for the energy industry. As trusted advisors committed to a sustainable future, it has extensive experience working in true partnership with clients while providing innovative, robust and sustainable solutions.

By cultivating talent across 15 global locations, Genesis employs new and dynamic thinking by using digital tools, embracing change and constantly seeking new opportunities to make a real and lasting impact on the industry. READ MORE