Essar Energy Transition (EET) has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire Thornton Science Park through its subsidiary EET Property Ltd. as part of its plan to create one of Europe’s leading energy transition hubs as part of its commitment to leading the Northwest’s energy transition.

Neighboring EET Fuels’ Stanlow Manufacturing Complex and spanning 66 acres, Thornton Science Park has been at the forefront of scientific and industrial research and development and is a key asset to the Cheshire Science Corridor – linking Liverpool and Manchester.  Thornton Science Park has also played a significant role in identifying sustainable energy sources to address meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions target.

The acquisition of Thornton Science Park is in line with EET’s long-standing commitment to place Stanlow at the forefront of the UK’s low-carbon future, accelerating the country’s energy transition, supporting the Government’s decarbonization policy, and retaining highly skilled employment opportunities for the Northwest.

EET plans for Thornton Science Park to serve as an energy transition hub. Thornton Science Park will be the UK headquarters for EET including:

• EET Fuels, which is transitioning Stanlow Manufacturing Complex to become the UK’s first low carbon refinery
• EET Hydrogen, which is developing one of the first large scale, low-carbon H₂ production hubs in the world
• EET Hydrogen Power, which is developing the Europe’s first H₂-fueled combined heat and power plant
• Stanlow Terminals Ltd, which the UK’s largest independent bulk liquid storage terminal, and is developing enabling transport and storage infrastructure for biofuels and new energies.

Deepak Maheshwari, CEO, EET Fuels, said, “The acquisition of Thornton Science Park represents the latest step in our ambition to develop Europe’s foremost integrated energy transition hub.  Leading by example, Essar Energy Transition is playing its part to ensure that the UK delivers on its climate change goals, enhances energy security, and maintains a strong, secure manufacturing base for fuels.”