Essar Energy Transition has reported a record-breaking year in 2025 at the Stanlow refinery in Ellesmere Port, Liverpool. Following a year of significant investment, the company achieved its highest-ever domestic sales since Essar acquired the refinery in 2011, reinforcing Stanlow’s critical role in the UK’s energy security. The strong performance reflects the continued demand for refined products across the country and highlights the essential contribution of the refining sector to the UK economy.
Despite the challenges associated with a major infrastructure transition, Essar Energy Transition leveraged its pan-UK strategy and extensive supply network to expand market share and deliver value to customers. Operational throughput increased by 8% compared to 2024, with dispatch volumes at the refinery approaching all-time highs, demonstrating the site’s efficiency and reliability. This growth was supported by strategic expansion across multiple business units.
The company’s retail forecourt network grew to 58 Essar-branded sites, while fuel was also supplied to more than 100 dealer-owned forecourts nationwide. A price reduction campaign launched in December for company-leased and dealer-operated sites further boosted consumer demand. In the aviation sector, Essar Energy Transition expanded its airport network, now directly supplying ten major airports. Beyond Stanlow, strategic supply points at Kingsbury, Northampton, Grangemouth, Oikos, and Grays strengthened the UK’s fuel security, enabling rapid responses to urgent requests from the rail, bus, and commercial transport sectors, particularly after the closure of two of the country’s six refineries.
In addition to operational growth, Essar Energy Transition continued its decarbonisation journey through a $100 million major refinery turnaround, part of a $350 million broader investment program. This project, one of the largest and most complex in Stanlow’s history, not only maintained the site but also enhanced throughput capability by approximately 8% and saw the installation of the UK’s first hydrogen-ready furnace. These upgrades position the refinery for a more sustainable future and reflect the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The achievements of 2025 underscore the importance of a thriving domestic refining sector. Essar Energy Transition continues to advocate for the inclusion of refining in the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to ensure a level playing field and protect the country from high-carbon imports. Deepak Maheshwari, CEO of EET Fuels, commented on the record year, praising the dedication of the team in navigating the complex turnaround while achieving the best-ever domestic sales figures.
He emphasized that Stanlow has been fuelling the UK for over a century and remains vital to the nation’s economy. Maheshwari further noted that continued investment in the refinery, along with policy support through mechanisms like CBAM, is essential to secure a sustainable and competitive future for the UK’s domestic refining sector.
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