DEVELOPMENT
Ambition – Ian Hunter says Green Lizard’ s vision can bring growth and prosperity for decades to come.
We’ ve been quietly developing, planning and investing for more than 10 years and now we are ready to show where the region’ s heritage and our vision intersect.”
This determination to keep the estate whole while ensuring the integrity of its industrial heritage has resulted in a readiness for a green energy revolution at the site, with nuclear reactors as its heartbeat and the use of CO2 to decarbonise industries across the Tees Valley.
Decarbonised energy, fuels and chemicals are critical to every aspect of the UK’ s industrial strategy – even data depends upon them. Green Lizard will be the first non-fossil fuel refining facility to be constructed at commercial scale.
The company’ s approach focuses on low-carbon hydrogen and green hydrogen, combined with capture and efficient utilisation of CO2 to produce green fuels and chemicals that can be used across multiple industries.
Green Lizard has plans to utilise everything produced – an unused product in one process becomes another system’ s feedstock.
This planned integration of multiple processes into a single architecture is an example of the circular economy – an innovative approach to resources that minimises waste and maximises reuse, recycling and regeneration.
Without circular practices, it’ s hard to see how the UK can lower its carbon footprint, reduce consumption and increase sustainability.
Green Lizard acknowledges the complexity of its strategy. However, the key components are in place.
Its estate consists of infrastructure – from pipework to jetties, from access to the Link Line Corridor to technology rights – and working with existing tenants and future partners offers the certainty it needs to create that circular economy.
Martin says:“ In June 2025, Green Lizard was the first company to have a sample of its own privately funded SAF from synthesis gas, which was tested at the University of Sheffield, in a rigorous jet engine test.
“ The results showed Green Lizard SAF has 80 % lower carbon emissions( particulates) than standard jet fuel, and a 2 % improvement in fuel consumption compared with fossil-based jet fuel.”
Paul adds:“ Green Lizard’ s vision for the site has resulted in the need for a consistent and sustainable power resource and through a well thought out, strategic partnership with nuclear providers, this vision will become a reality.”
Green Lizard plans to utilise all the heat and power produced by nuclear. Maximising all the nuclear energy outputs will enable the continued growth and development of green chemicals, fuels, products and industries powered by its nuclear heartbeat for the next century.
Given the timescales required to licence and build the nuclear reactors, Green Lizard’ s vision will be delivered in defined phases.
Initially, the build will produce around 150,000 tonnes of SAF and 100,000 tonnes of low-carbon methanol per year, scaling significantly to more than a million tonnes of SAF per year when nuclear comes online in the mid-2030s.
Green Lizard’ s site will help drive academic and commercial transformation too, with an innovation centre at the heart of the estate.
Martin says:“ We are already innovating, for example, in our government-backed work with the University of Sheffield as part of the 2025 advanced fuel funds grant( AFF), to integrate novel carbon capture fuel cells into SAF production.
“ Working closely with universities, schools and commercial groups to innovate relentlessly will open new opportunities and develop skills in the region.”
Green Lizard hopes to have the 500- acre estate on the north bank of the Tees recognised as a site of significant national importance to protect and ensure the land can continue to support the delivery of opportunities now and in the future for green energy, fuels and chemicals.
“ We have the land, infrastructure, technology, and we have the technical capabilities,” Ian says.
“ We’ ve been quietly developing, planning and investing for more than 10 years and now we are ready to show where the region’ s heritage and our vision intersect, promising growth and prosperity for decades to come.”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 53