One of the largest SAF projects in the UK has completed its pre-FEED stage

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One of the UK’s largest SAF projects has completed pre-FEED. Essar Energy Transition is transforming its Stanlow refinery into a “global leader in low-carbon process refining”. The company announced on May 18 that it had completed the preliminary engineering design phase for one of the largest advanced sustainable aviation fuel production facilities in the UK. The planned Stenlo Methanol-to-Jet (MTJ) project will be integrated into existing refinery infrastructure, producing over 200,000 tons of advanced SAF per year using approximately 550,000 tons of renewable e-methanol and bio-based methanol feedstock. By being located on the same site as the refinery, SAF can be directly mixed on-site with Essar’s conventional jet fuel, and utilized through existing export infrastructure – including access via the Manchester Jetty, Central and British Shipping pipeline systems, as well as existing road and sea distribution routes – to supply major airports and airlines in the UK. Part of the funding for the project comes from the third window of the UK Government’s Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund, up to £2.5 million (approximately $3.35 million). The pre-FEED phase was carried out in collaboration with Genesis, covering key aspects such as technical evaluation, commercial assessment, site selection, MTJ technology readiness, integration with the refinery, carbon intensity performance, and environmental compliance. The current goal of the project is to participate in the UK SAF revenue determination mechanism process. The FEED is scheduled to be released later this year, with the final investment decision expected to be made by early 2028.