EET hydrogen leads UK’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production Transition

The company aims to become a key player in the UK’s hydrogen production landscape.

Vertex Hydrogen is undergoing a significant transformation as it rebrands itself as EET Hydrogen. This strategic shift marks the company’s evolution from a subsidiary of Essar Oil UK (EOUK) to a sibling entity within the Essar Energy Transition (EET) portfolio, positioning it as a standalone pillar of EET’s visionary portfolio. This transition reflects the natural progression of the company, which has evolved from its early-stage inception into a pioneering hydrogen production project within the United Kingdom.

Under the new identity of EET Hydrogen, the company is poised to serve as a robust platform for expansion, setting ambitious targets to deliver approximately 4GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by the year 2030. This ambitious goal aligns closely with the UK Government’s national target, aiming to contribute around 40 percent of the country’s hydrogen requirements. The availability of such abundant low-carbon hydrogen will empower businesses to transition away from fossil fuels, not only securing existing industries and jobs but also unleashing substantial investments into the economy.

The roots of EET Hydrogen trace back to the founding of Vertex Hydrogen Limited by Essar, in collaboration with Progressive Energy Limited, in January 2022. Initially, VHL operated as a subsidiary primarily held by EOUK, with a specific focus on the development of the HPP1 and HPP2 low-carbon hydrogen production facilities situated at EOUK’s Stanlow site. These facilities are pivotal in catalysing the growth of a hydrogen-based economy in the North-West region and play an integral role in the HyNet industrial decarbonisation cluster.

While the ownership and primary focus on HPP1 and HPP2 by VHL remain intact, they will now operate under the EET Hydrogen brand. This strategic rebranding also signifies EET Hydrogen’s intention to venture into various other hydrogen-related businesses. It is important to note that the relationship between VHL and EOUK remains symbiotic, characterised by an arms-length interaction, and this dynamic is set to persist.

EET Hydrogen’s transition from Vertex Hydrogen represents a significant step forward in the company’s journey towards becoming a key player in the UK’s hydrogen production landscape. With a renewed focus, clear objectives, and a commitment to sustainability, EET Hydrogen is poised to make a substantial contribution to the nation’s clean energy goals, propelling the UK toward a greener, more sustainable future.

Joe Seifert, CEO of EET Hydrogen, said:
“We have made huge progress since launching our hydrogen business last year and the natural next step is for EET Hydrogen to become a standalone business to capitalise on the huge opportunities we see. This paves the way for future growth of our hydrogen platform as we move from ambition to action.”