The electricity will come from the Norther’s offshore wind farm in the North Sea and begin flowing on Jan. 1, 2021. Ineos will initially use the renewable energy at its existing production sites and later at its ethylene and propylene complex at in Antwerp, which is scheduled to start up in 2024.

Ineos said the power purchase agreement will avoid 1,150,000 t of CO2 emissions annually, and boost the further development of the capital-intensive offshore wind market.

John McNally, CEO of Ineos Project One, as the Antwerp investment is being called, said the petrochemicals complex will be the most energy-efficient of its kind in Europe and will use the newest technologies. 

The group’s propane dehydrogenation unit at the site has been designed with a maximum level of electrification, which makes it possible to virtually eliminate indirect emissions by using only green electricity, McNally said, adding that, “In the coming months, we will continue to look at the options for further expanding the use of renewable energy.”

Engie’s Norther wind farm located in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Belgium consists of 44 wind turbines with a maximum capacity of 370 MW.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist