FAQs

The Keuper Gas Storage Project (KGSP) is being developed in partnership between INEOS Inovyn and Storengy UK. Keuper Gas Storage Limited (KGSL) is the project developer.

KGSL is bringing forward a ‘material change’ to the KGSP plans approved in March 2017, to allow the project to store hydrogen rather than natural gas, improve the associated infrastructure and allow connection to the HyNet Hydrogen Pipeline, the regional hydrogen and carbon capture project planned to produce, store and transport hydrogen around the North West and North Wales.

The rocks from the local area form part of the Mercia Mudstone Group, which dates back to the Triassic period.

The “Keuper” name derives from the Northwich Halite Member of mudstones and rock salt which was formerly called the “Lower Keuper Saliferous Beds” and was overlain by the “Middle Keuper Marl”.

The name “Keuper” therefore, has a long association with the rocks of the area and the Holford Brinefield.

Storengy UK is a subsidiary of ENGIE UK, who developed and now operate the Stublach Natural Gas Storage site in Cheshire.

Now fully completed, the scheme is the largest onshore gas storage facility in the country, enhancing the security of supply to the UK market. Storengy UK is actively participating in the energy transition, supporting the UK government strategy to reach net zero by 2050, and have set its own carbon neutral target of 2025.

For over 5 years, Storengy UK has had a Responsible Business Board which focuses on it impacts the economy and contributes to the local community. Additionally, Storengy UK also sponsors the Green Jobs Expo, supports local projects through the Cheshire Community Foundation, and encourages biodiversity on the Stublach site.

INEOS, through its subsidiary INOVYN, is already Europe’s largest existing operator of electrolysis, the critical technology which uses renewable energy to produce hydrogen for power generation, transportation, and industrial use.

INOVYN is a wholly owned subsidiary of INEOS. INOVYN has other sites in the UK, which in the North West includes INOVYN ChlorVinyls and INOVYN’s Salt Business at Western Point, Runcorn and INOVYN Enterprises’ Brine and Water Business in Northwich as well as another site at Newton Aycliffe. INEOS has sites at Hull, Seal Sands and Grangemouth. Across the UK INEOS and INOVYN employs more than 3,500 people.

At its existing site in Runcorn, it has been producing hydrogen gas for more than 125 years. It currently produces more than 10,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year in a 200MW chlor-alkali electrolysis cellroom.

Cheshire’s unique geology makes it one of the few places in the UK where gas can be safely stored underground in salt cavities. There are a number of existing gas storage facilities already operating in the Holford Brinefield area and the site is immediately adjacent to two existing underground natural gas storage facilities.

The Holford Gas Storage facility, operated by Uniper, was approved by the Secretary of State in 2004 and is now fully operational. The Stublach Gas Storage Project, approved by the local planning authority in 2006, and operated by Storengy UK Limited, is also fully operational.

The vast majority of the proposed development, such as the hydrogen storage cavities and pipelines, would not be visible above ground once complete, although there would be some visible activity during the construction phase. The brine / gas wellheads will be visible but are less than 4m high and will be screened with native hedgerows and trees.

The most visible part of the development would be the proposed Gas Processing Plant, which would be located on land off King Street, within the Holford Brinefield, to the north of Middlewich.  The proposed plant would cover an area of approximately eight hectares and details of the layout and elevations of the plant can be found in the planning application and consent documentation. The GPP will be screened with soil mounds and planting of native hedgerows and trees, which will hide the majority of infrastructure from public view, however, the 50m flare will likely be visible.

As part of the application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), Keuper Gas Storage Limited carried out a full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, which looked at the existing landscape in the area and the likely impact of the proposed development on the local landscape. Details of the assessments can be found in the relevant Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) chapter.

We are seeking a Material Change to the 2017 Development Consent Order (DCO) so the consented Keuper Gas Storage Project can store hydrogen rather than natural gas, with targeted updates to supporting infrastructure. The number, location, size and construction method of the 19 salt caverns would stay the same. The proposed changes comprise:

• The proposed storage of hydrogen gas rather than natural gas, including consolidation of pipelines
• Changes to the Gas Processing Plant (GPP) area and hydrogen compatible equipment, including a 50m flare instead of a vent
• Moving non-hydrogen equipment to a utility compound adjacent to the GPP
• The National Transmission System (NTS) for natural gas is being replaced by the Hydrogen. Above Ground Infrastructure (HAGI) for connection to the HyNet Hydrogen Pipeline. If approved, the facility would be able to store around 1,300 GWh of hydrogen. The most visible above-ground element would remain the Gas Processing Plant on land off King Street within the Holford Brinefield, with landscaping to screen most infrastructure. No changes are proposed at locations beyond the main Holford Brinefield site, including Whitley, Lostock and Runcorn.

The storage cavities would be created using a technique called solution mining, which is a tried and tested method used by INOVYN and its predecessors for the last 90 years. During cavity development, the shape of the cavity is controlled using a layer of nitrogen and monitored by sonar surveys. Once cavities have been formed to the correct size and shape for the storage of hydrogen, the brine will be removed and replaced with hydrogen.

This method has been used to produce the existing gas storage cavities in the area.

The solution mining process produced brine, which is effectively concentrated salt water. This will largely be used for the manufacture of chemicals by INOVYN in Runcorn and other industry customers in the North West. The chlorine that is used to treat 98% of the UK’s drinking water, keeping it germ free, is already produced at Runcorn using brine from Northwich.

The brine will be sent to the existing brine reservoirs at Lostock Hollows, Northwich. This purified brine would then be sent to customers such as the INOVYN site in Runcorn, to produce chemicals and salt for use in food.

Although most of the brine produced by the KGSP will be used by INOVYN and its customers, some of the brine that is not required may be disposed into the Weaver Navigation or Manchester Ship Canal in Runcorn.

To underpin the UK’s efforts to help tackle climate change and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Keuper Gas Storage Limited is planning the UK’s largest hydrogen storage facility on a site between Lach Dennis and Middlewich in Cheshire. The project forms an important element of the HyNet North West network.

We are proposing a Material Change to the consented KGSP DCO to allow storage of hydrogen rather than natural gas – with targeted updates to supporting infrastructure. The changes would:

• The proposed storage of hydrogen gas rather than natural gas, including consolidation of pipelines
• Changes to the Gas Processing Plant (GPP) area and hydrogen compatible equipment,
• including a 50m flare instead of a vent
• Moving non-hydrogen equipment to a utility compound adjacent to the GPP
• The National Transmission System (NTS) for natural gas is being replaced by the Hydrogen. Above Ground Infrastructure (HAGI) for connection to the HyNet Hydrogen Pipeline.

The construction of a GPP and solution mining process for producing underground cavities is almost exactly the same whether it be for hydrogen or natural gas. KGSL will utilise the previous experience and expertise from the neighbouring Storengy UK Stublach facility to construct the project safely.

The construction and operation of a gas storage facility is heavily regulated by the Health and Safety Executive whose primary function is to ensure workplaces are safe for employees and the public.

KGSP has gained a Hazardous Substances Consent for the storage of hydrogen in underground cavities, which has been granted by Cheshire West and Chester. The Hazardous Substances Consent is awarded by the relevant local authority with support from the HSE. This is a significant achievement as both CWAC and the HSE have deemed the storage of hydrogen safe.

Once operational, the hydrogen storage facility would be staffed 24 hours a day and controlled using modern computer systems. Operation of the proposed facility would be regulated under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations by the Health & Safety Executive, which requires regular monitoring and review.

Hydrogen is already safely stored in salt caverns in Teesside and Texas.

The 19 new underground cavities will store 1,300 gigawatt hours of hydrogen – more clean energy than any other facility and enough to power the city of Liverpool for 22 weeks.

The project is expected to support up to 300 construction jobs and around 30 operational roles, and we will work with contractors to recruit locally wherever possible.

INEOS Inovyn and Storengy UK already employ many local people at Holford, Northwich and Runcorn – INEOS employs over 1,000 people in the area – and both partners have active education links. These include work with The Pledge Cheshire & Warrington, the University of Chester and local schools, plus Storengy UK’s role on South Cheshire
College’s Employer Advisory Board for Green Skills and sponsorship of the Green Jobs Expo.

There will also be wider opportunities through the regional supply chain. As part of HyNet North West engagement, more than 430 attendees – including local authorities and regional SMEs – took part in the recent HyNet North West Supply Chain Summit.

In addition, a community benefit fund – expected to total over £400,000 across 10 years of construction – will be available for local projects, with applications expected to open in 2027.

Yes, the project is expected to support up to 300 construction jobs and around 30 operational roles, and we will work with contractors to recruit locally wherever possible.

INEOS Inovyn and Storengy UK already employ many local people at Holford, Northwich and Runcorn. INEOS employs over 1,000 people in the area — and both partners have active education links. These include work with The Pledge Cheshire & Warrington, the University of Chester and local schools; Storengy UK also sits on South Cheshire College’s Employer Advisory Board for Green Skills and sponsors the Green Jobs Expo.

We’ll advertise roles as the project progresses – including via HyNet North West channels, which are running a regional careers campaign – and we’ll continue to engage local training providers so residents can access opportunities.

The KGSP will bring a number of supply chain opportunities for local businesses, many of which will be best placed to provide quick turnaround times.

As part of HyNet North West, KGSP attended the HyNet Supply Chain Summit which saw over 430 attendees including local authorities and regional SME’s and we’ll use similar channels to promote future opportunities.

Further announcements on opportunities to work with the Project will be communicated as it progresses.  If you would like to express an interest in the project, please get in touch or visit the HyNet North West website for more information.

Yes – a community benefit fund, similar to those used for other gas storage projects at the Holford Brinefield, will be available during the main construction period.

As the project is still in design, applications have not yet opened. We expect applications to open in 2027, with more than £400,000 to be invested in local projects over 10 years of construction. We’ll publish full details on eligibility, governance and how to apply ahead of launch.

KGSL has started construction of the project under the DCO, which was awarded in 2017. This includes work on the site roads, specifically a new site entrance at King Street, a new junction at Yatehouse Lane / Brownhayes Drive and a new site entrance at Drakelow Lane.

Subject to consent, full construction is expected to start in 2028, with the first operation around 2032 and completion estimated by 2040.

Some initial works have already been carried out in 2021 to 2022 to construct site entrances at Drakelow Lane, Yatehouse Lane and King Street.

Subject to consent, full construction is expected to start in 2028. We aim for the first phase of hydrogen storage to be operational around 2032, with further cavern development and expansion continuing through to approximately 2040.

KGSP is engaging with industry experts to provide targeted ecology and environmental surveys in the local area. The main topics covered include:

• Geology and Ground Conditions
• Hydrology and Flood Risk
• Air Quality, Noise and Vibration
• Ecology and Nature Conservation
• Landscape and Visual Impact
• Cultural Heritage.

You can download the Preliminary Environmental Information Report Chapters on the Consultation Page.

Some early works were completed in 2021–22 to form site entrances. Subject to consent, full construction is expected to start in 2028 and will run in phases, with around 10 years of construction within a 13-year programme. Works will be managed under a Construction Environmental Management Plan to minimise disruption.

Noise during construction and operation will be assessed in the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and Environmental Statement (ES) and managed through best- practice measures and monitoring. Where required, KGSP will adopt mitigation to meet relevant standards and planning requirements.

No change is expected compared with the already-consented scheme, so Traffic & Transport has been scoped out of the updated assessment as there is no change in traffic numbers between the consented development and now.

Air quality will be reassessed as part of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and Environmental Statement (ES), covering both construction and operation. Measures such as dust suppression, plant management and monitoring will be secured through the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) where needed.

Cheshire’s salt geology is the reason KGSP is here. Caverns are solution mined in the Northwich Halite, a technique used safely for decades locally, and the Material Change keeps the number, location and size of the 19 caverns the same while switching storage to hydrogen.

Targeted ecological surveys are informing the design and mitigation. Planting and earth mounding around infrastructure will help screen activity and support biodiversity; detailed measures will be set out in the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and Environmental Statement (ES).

Most of KGSP is below ground. The Gas Processing Plant near King Street will be the most visible element, with screening mounds and native planting to reduce views; a 50-metre flare is proposed in place of the consented vent and may be visible above planting.

Yes, we are undertaking public consultation on the material change application from Thursday 9 October 2025 until Thursday 20 November 2025. We would like to invite you to attend our public information event which will give you the opportunity to learn more about KGSP and ask questions to the project team in attendance. This will be taking place on the 15 October at De Vere Cranage Estate. We will also be holding an online Q&A on 22 October for those who are unable to attend in person.

The Keuper Gas Storage Project (KGSP) is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, which means it is consented through a Development Consent Order (DCO) rather than through the local council. The Planning Inspectorate manages the process, examining the application and making a recommendation, while the final decision is taken by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

For a Material Change to an existing DCO, like the one now proposed for KGSP, the process begins with public consultation on the proposed changes and updated environmental information.

Following consultation, the application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, which will examine the proposals, consider the feedback received and review the environmental assessments. At the end of this stage, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who will then decide whether the changes should
be approved.

Email: kgsp@fontcomms.com

Write to: Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY

Visit: www.kgsp.co.uk

Call: Freephone 0800 689 1095 (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm)