Ohio Mayors visit Ellesmere Port

Mayors from Ohio, USA were welcomed to the UK and Ellesmere Port by Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council on Monday 23rd March.

The industrial visit started at EET Fuels in Ellesmere Port where the four mayors and senior delegates from Ohio and Chicago heard presentations from Gemma Davies, The Council’s Director of Economy and Housing and Rose McArthur, Director, Transport and Highways about the economy and climate change. There followed presentations from EET Fuels, Peel, Hynet, Net Zero North West plus a site tour to Encyclis.

Councillor Gittins said:

“I am delighted to welcome the delegates from America and proud that we can share the groundbreaking innovations being developed at Origin Ellesmere Port for sustainable industry via carbon capture and greener energy, ensuring that businesses can positively contribute to a greener future.”

The delegates heard about Origin Ellesmere Port, one of the UK's first 'SuperPlaces' supporting the UK Government's 'Green Industrial Revolution' by delivering a network of world leading clean industry, power and transport companies innovating new solutions to deliver long-term sustainable growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ohio cities, are undergoing a green industrial conversion to remain globally competitive and to reduce carbon emissions. Ohio cities have developed ambitious industrial decarbonisation plans and are working with commercial leaders to implement local goals.

The delegation are visiting the UK to learn how devolved government leaders are carrying out Local Growth Plans in the UK and what lessons learned could be applied to Ohio. They aim to understand how the UK’s Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan is implemented on a local level whilst meeting industrial and commercial leaders in Britain that are leading the clean energy transition.

Working with the Cleveland-based Gund Foundation, the Chicago Consulate has brought the  delegation of Ohio mayors to the UK to demonstrate British green industrial commercial and policy leadership at a national and municipal level.

Councillor Gittins welcomed Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, Euclid Mayor Kristen Holzheimer Gail, Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith and Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley.

Essar Energy Transition (EET) is creating the UK’s first low carbon process refinery at Origin Ellesmere Port. EET plans to invest US$ 2.4 billion in developing a range of low carbon energy transition projects.

EET Hydrogen, will deliver 1.35 gigawatt (GW) of blue hydrogen for the UK market, with follow-on capacity set to reach 4GW. The investment programme will play a major role in accelerating the UK’s low carbon transformation, supporting decarbonisation and creating highly skilled employment opportunities.

Pictured - Cllr Louise Gittins with USA delegates.