Energy giant signs deal to acquire Thornton Science Park

Essar Energy Transition (EET) has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire Thornton Science Park through its subsidiary EET Property Limited, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal is part of EET’s plan to create one of Europe’s leading energy transition hubs as part of its commitment to leading the North West’s energy transition.

Neighbouring 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 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 decarbonisation policy, and retaining highly skilled employment opportunities for the North West.

EET, part of a privately-owned Indian conglomerate, 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 hydrogen production hubs in the world;
• EET Hydrogen Power, which is developing Europe’s first hydrogen fuelled combined heat and power plant; and
• Stanlow Terminals, which is the UK’s largest independent bulk liquid storage terminal, and is developing enabling transport and storage infrastructure for biofuels and new energies

Deepak Maheshwari, EET Fuels CEO, 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.”

Close to Thornton Science Park is the Protos site, a plastics-to-hydrogen scheme which was acquired in May last year from Peel NRE by Bingley-based Powerhouse Energy Group.