Walker Morris / Case Studies / Green Lizard Group

Transforming Teesside with power-to-liquids for a net-zero world

Green Lizard Group with Green Lizard Technologies and Community Nuclear Power (CNP) is bringing cutting-edge green power-to-liquids technology to Teesside as part of an ambitious regeneration project with transformative potential for the environment, local jobs and the wider UK economy. We have supported Green Lizard Group in bringing forward its vision for its site, including throughout the Development Consent Order (DCO) process: defending the scheme against rival action while advancing its own master plan proposals, including for green chemicals and deployment of a fleet of four small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) on site.

The future of clean energy

Power-to-liquids is the future of clean energy. Put simply, it uses clean electricity to generate green fuels such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), marine fuel, diesel, petrol and chemicals. Adoption of this is fundamental to the government’s net zero ambitions – and globally significant for climate change. But harnessing it at scale means regenerating one of the UK’s largest brownfield industrial sites: 500 acres of land on the north bank of the River Tees, an area similar to the London Olympic Park.

Vast in scale and ambition, this project has faced significant hurdles – not least from a third-party development project. With similar plans, the third party brought forward their own DCO submission, which included proposed compulsory acquisition of our client’s primary site intended for development. This would have prevented delivery of Green Lizard’s vision.

This left us with twin challenges: defending our clients’ interests, while advancing at pace their own plans for methanol and SAF production and preparing the way for CNP to progress the deployment of SMRs on the site..

Drawing on experience

Deep expertise in major infrastructure projects and nuclear development has been crucial. Having previously advised on nationally significant energy and infrastructure projects – we brought detailed knowledge of both the technology and the legal complexities involved.

Clearing the way

Following our objections, the third-party promoter has now abandoned its development on our client’s main site and is pursuing an alternative scheme elsewhere. The Section 35 Direction which affected our client’s site has now been revoked by the Secretary of State. This clears the way for Green Lizard Group to progress its own master plan proposals and we’re supporting with all planning and DCO aspects of this, including to help realise the vision for a green chemicals hub, powered by SMRs.

Enabling enterprise

In a project of ‘firsts’, we have supported Green Lizard and Community Nuclear Power (CNP) in their ambitions to bring forward the UK’s inaugural privately funded SMR power station. While every previous nuclear project has relied on public funding, this is a genuine example of private enterprise.

Achieving our client’s vision

With the rival scheme now withdrawn, we are supporting Green Lizard and CNP in bringing forward their master plan for the site, including consents and DCO advisory work in respect of for green chemicals and a future SMR plant. Our client’s vision – to ‘plan, build and deliver a nationally important green energy, fuel and chemical park’ – is now a step closer. And with it comes the potential for a multi-billion-pound boost to the local economy.

“

We’ve been quietly developing, planning and investing for more than 10 years and now we’re ready to show where the region’s heritage and our vision intersect, promising growth and prosperity for decades to come.

Ian Hunter

Green Lizard

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From a legal perspective, delivering a green chemicals hub and wider masterplan, including an SMR, of this nature would be very novel – it’s a cutting-edge project.

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