Chemical companies look into corporate sourcing of renewable energy to secure clean, reliable & competitive power in the future
Cefic member companies are increasingly rethinking the way they supply their chemical production process energy needs in the future and turning more and more to renewable energy sourcing. As renewable energy is on its way to becoming more competitive and more readily available, corporate sourcing of renewable electricity is becoming an increasingly attractive solution for many chemical companies. This trend will also support the industry in transforming successfully.
As one of the largest and most diversified industries in Europe, chemical companies can play a catalytic role in the deployment of renewables worldwide and reduce greenhouse emissions through corporate sourcing of renewable electricity.
Cefic is a partner of the RE-Source Platform, which pools resources and coordinates activities to promote a better policy framework for corporate renewable energy sourcing. Organised in October for the third year running, the RE-Source event will once again bring together renewable energy buyers, sellers and developers. The event is a great opportunity for chemical companies to get in touch with entrepreneurs in renewables and to learn more about Power Purchase Agreements that allow companies to purchase renewable energy directly from an energy generator.
To get a better understanding of the importance of energy procurement and the opportunities corporate sourcing of renewable electricity can bring to chemical companies, Borealis, who have joined the RE-Source event every year, shed some light on how they deal with energy procurement.
Within Borealis, energy sourcing is vital, and it should be affordable, accessible and acceptable. “We realise that there is no silver bullet on the path towards more renewable energy and that a combination of technologies will be needed to change the energy system and reach the goals of the Paris Agreement”, says Rolph Zaman, Head of Sourcing Energy and Feedstock at Borealis.
Borealis is, through its product range across base chemicals and polyolefins, an enabler of renewable energy. Its products are used for example in solar panels, lighter e-vehicles, wind turbines and high voltage cabling. “We strive as Borealis to also gradually increase the share of renewable energy sources for our production of these chemical building blocks, whilst realising that this will, over time, require ample quantities of renewable energy at competitive prices and costs”, adds Ouafik El Kasmioui, Borealis Renewable Energy Development Manager
to also gradually increase the share of renewable energy sources for our production of these chemical building blocks, whilst realising that this will, over time, require ample quantities of renewable energy at competitive prices and costs”, adds Ouafik El Kasmioui, Borealis Renewable Energy Development Manager.
Borealis has recently embedded in its strategy the aspiration towards a 50 % share of renewable electricity in its portfolio by 2030. ”We do not start from a blank sheet, because already today, we have real examples where on-site renewable electricity provides part of our needs, like wind turbines in Kallo, Belgium, or a municipal waste to energy plant coming on stream next year on our site in Beringen, Belgium. We now want to give this journey an extra boost and will actively grow the renewable share in the coming years”, says Rolph.
There are a multitude of drivers as well as barriers that society needs to overcome according to a recent study commissioned by DG ENER. “The envisaged electricity system transformation with high shares of intermittent, decentralised renewables would require a market design that makes a match between variable supplies and demand”, states Lieven Stalmans, Borealis Group Manager Energy and Climate. The objective is an adequate and affordable low carbon energy system. Corporate social responsibility strategies, environmental consciousness, affordability are key factors for industrial energy users when deciding whether to source renewable energy.
Borealis is attending the RE-Source event for the third time, as it offers the company the opportunity to get in touch with entrepreneurs in renewables and have insight discussions on the hurdles and challenges.
For more information on the RE-Source event and for registrations, click