German chemical company, BASF, and EDF Energy North America signed a 35-MW wind power purchase agreement (PPA) that will bring 25 MW of wind power to BASF’s Verbund site in Freeport, Texas, and 10 MW of wind power to the Pasadena, Texas, site. The agreement adds to another recent PPA that will supply the Freeport site with 55 MW of power from EDF Renewables’ Space City Solar project.
BASF’s portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. At the Freeport site, products such as printing, cosmetics and synthetic chemicals are manufactured, as well as chemicals for the construction industry, healthcare, agriculture and nutrition.
The Pasadena site produces DOTP, which is a general-purpose plasticizer that is used in detergents, coatings, and adhesives. Typical applications are in wire insulation, flexible vinyl extrusions, flooring, garden hose, shower curtains and many other soft vinyl articles.
The intent of these recent PPAs is to improve the energy balance of both BASF sites and further complement the company’s overall sustainability goals, according to a press release. About 70% of the energy supply to the Pasadena site and more than 90% of the power purchased in addition to the energy produced at Freeport site will be supplied from renewable resources.
As part of its Carbon Management program, BASF is gradually replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, further enhancing the company’s advancement toward its climate protection goal of CO2 neutral growth until 2030. The partnership also ensures the reliability of the BASF assets and increases efficiency and competitiveness at both sites, according to a release.
“The agreements underline BASF’s commitment to sustainability. Manufacturing products for sustainable solutions, reducing emissions from our processes and using non-fossil fueled energy sources – all of these efforts help lead us on our continuing journey of sustainability,” said Chris Witte, senior vice president and general manager for the BASF site in Freeport.
The wind farm selected to supply BASF is located in Crocket County, Texas. The planned start date for providing the BASF sites with wind power is June 2021. EDF Renewable’s Space City Solar in Wharton, Texas, is expected to begin construction in summer 2021, and renewable energy supply will start mid-2022.
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