How a century-old refinery is transforming to power the UK's sustainable future.
Nestled on the south bank of the Manchester Ship Canal in Ellesmere Port, the Stanlow Refinery has been a silent giant powering British daily life for a century. Producing a staggering 16% of the UK's road transport fuels, this industrial behemoth supplies petrol, diesel, and jet fuel to millions across the nation 6 . But as we celebrate its 100-year legacy, Stanlow is embarking on its most radical transformation yet—from a traditional petroleum plant to the UK's leading low-carbon energy transition hub 9 . This is the story of how a cornerstone of the fossil fuel economy is reinventing itself for a net-zero world, leveraging massive infrastructure and engineering ingenuity to build a sustainable energy future.
Stanlow's story began in 1924 as a modest bitumen plant under the ownership of Shell 1 9 . Its strategic location on the Manchester Ship Canal provided direct access for seaborne oil transport, a geographic advantage that continues to define its operations today 1 .
Expanded to produce aviation spirit, becoming crucial to the war effort 9 .
Evolved into a fully-fledged crude oil refinery 9 .
Shell sold the refinery to Essar Energy for $1.3 billion 1 .
Essar Oil UK rebranded to EET Fuels, focusing on becoming the UK's first low-carbon refinery 9 .
At its core, Stanlow is a massive processing facility that transforms crude oil into essential fuels:
This crude oil arrives via tankers at the Tranmere Terminal on the River Mersey, then travels through a 15-mile pipeline to Stanlow for refining 6 .
Approximately 20,000 litres of crude oil pass through the crude oil distillation unit every minute 6 .
The £200 million catalytic cracker complex breaks heavy fraction molecules into new hydrocarbon combinations 6 .
Uses high temperature and pressure to remove sulphur from gas oil to make diesel 6 .
Uses a platinum catalyst to upgrade light fractions, producing LPG and high-octane petrol 6 .
Stanlow is currently undergoing its most significant transformation since its establishment—evolving from a traditional refinery into a comprehensive energy transition hub. This shift represents a fundamental reimagining of its role in the UK's energy landscape.
EET Fuels has committed $1.2 billion to support the refinery's industrial decarbonisation, with a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 95% by 2030 1 .
Installing systems to capture carbon dioxide emissions directly from refinery operations.
Transitioning from natural gas and other refinery fuel sources to hydrogen as a primary fuel 1 .
Stanlow Terminals Ltd, part of Essar Energy Transition, is making strategic investments to position itself at the forefront of the UK's energy transition 3 8 :
The centenary celebrations in 2024 highlighted that Stanlow's story is as much about people as it is about industrial processes. The refinery has been a vital source of skilled local employment and economic stability across generations 9 .
"As local residents, my family has relied on Stanlow as our primary source of employment for many years. It's been a privilege to contribute to Stanlow's rich 100-year history and I hope we continue to help shape the next 100 years."
Stuart Clarke started as an apprentice in 2004 and now works alongside his elder brother Neil, younger brother Gavin, and two cousins 9 .
Stanlow's products reach consumers through a sophisticated distribution network that demonstrates its national importance:
To the UK Oil Pipeline network, Manchester Airport, and various terminals 6 .
From one of Europe's busiest terminals, operating 24 hours a day, 364 days a year 6 .
Via six berths on the Manchester Ship Canal, handling around 600 ships annually 6 .
The refinery plays a crucial role in the UK economy, employing over 6,700 people directly and indirectly 6 . Its strategic position near major north-west cities and connection to national infrastructure ensures its continued relevance in both the traditional and future energy landscapes.
Stanlow Refinery's journey from a 1924 bitumen plant to a 21st-century energy transition hub offers a powerful blueprint for industrial transformation. It demonstrates that even the most established fossil fuel infrastructure can reinvent itself for a low-carbon future without sacrificing energy security or economic value.
"We are not just upgrading infrastructure—we are building the backbone of the UK's low-carbon energy future. Our investments today will ensure we remain a critical enabler of energy security and sustainability for decades to come."
The refinery's centenary is not just a celebration of its past but a commitment to the families and communities that have sustained it 9 . As the Clarkes and countless others have contributed to its rich history, Stanlow's future is set to continue this legacy of innovation and resilience.
In an era of energy transition, Stanlow represents a pragmatic path forward—leveraging existing infrastructure, expertise, and workforce to build a sustainable energy system that powers Britain for its next hundred years.