Jet fuel plant worth £1.1bn could be built near Immingham

A major sustainable jet fuel facility costing more than £1 billion could be built near the Port of Immingham under new plans emerging for the Humber region.

Energy company Equinor Low Carbon UK Limited is exploring proposals for a large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant on land near Rosper Road and Marsh Lane, just north-west of the port.

The facility would produce lower-carbon jet fuel designed to help cut emissions from aviation - one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise.

Early environmental documents submitted to North Lincolnshire Council suggest the project could create hundreds of jobs during construction and more than 100 permanent roles once operational.

Developers estimate the four-year build could support up to 435 full-time equivalent jobs, with around 113 long-term jobs once the site is running.

The proposed plant would use green methanol and hydrogen to create synthetic jet fuel.

According to planning documents, it could eventually produce more than 120,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel each year.

That would amount to roughly 10 per cent of the UK Government’s current 2030 target for sustainable aviation fuel use.

The plans also come at a time of growing concern over energy security and fuel supply chains following instability linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

While a formal planning application has not yet been submitted, Equinor has lodged an Environmental Impact Assessment scoping request - an early stage in the planning process for major infrastructure projects. A full planning application is expected in late 2026.

Planning documents state the Humber location was chosen because of its industrial infrastructure and links to other low-carbon energy projects in the region, including hydrogen developments.

The Humber is increasingly being positioned as one of the UK’s major hubs for low-carbon industry and clean energy investment.