INEOS buys Norther offshore wind power

INEOS has signed an agreement with Engie to buy 84 MW of energy produced by the Norther offshore wind farm in Belgium.

The 84 MW will initially be used by existing INEOS production sites and later by Project ONE, the company’s investment in two chemical plants for the production of ethylene and propylene in Antwerp.

The supply of renewable energy will start from 1 January 2021.

According to INEOS, this 10-year agreement is the largest-ever purchase contract of wind energy for heavy industry in Belgium.

“This significant deal will reduce our carbon footprint in Belgium by more than one million tonnes of CO2 , the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off the road each year, from the beginning of next year for ten years,” said Gerd Franken, Chairman of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe.

“It is the first of many environmental investments from our business as we continue to supply the products that people increasingly need across medical, food, transport and construction.”

Norther comprises 44 MHI Vestas 8.4 MW turbines located some 23km offshore Zeebrugge. The 370 MW offshore wind farm became fully operational in May.

Last year, Engie agreed to sell 92 MW of the project’s energy to Google for its data center in Saint-Ghislain.