- New Schwechat array follows Linz, Austria, as the second solar facility erected jointly by Borealis and VERBUND
- Schwechat photovoltaic (PV) facility moves Borealis closer to goal of sourcing 100% of energy used in own operations from renewables
- Central aim of expanding PV capacity in Austria supported by cross-sector partnerships established jointly by VERBUND and Borealis
According to the company’s website media release on November 22, 2022, Borealis, one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and sustainable polyolefin solutions and a European front-runner in polyolefin recycling; and VERBUND, Austria’s leading energy company and one of the largest producers of hydroelectricity in Europe, announce the installation of a new photovoltaic (PV) array in Schwechat, Austria. The new PV park, which will supply power to Borealis operations on site, is the second to have been jointly planned and implemented by the two companies. The output provided by the new facility moves Borealis closer to its aim of sourcing 100% of the electricity used in its own operations from renewable sources by the year 2030. The new joint project realised by Borealis and VERBUND is clear evidence of the companies’ shared commitment to investing in a more environmentally friendly energy future.
Adding solar power to the Schwechat energy mix
The new solar PV park is located on an industrial plot at Borealis production operations in Schwechat. The construction phase began in May 2022, with completion anticipated by the end of the year; energy supply should commence soon thereafter. Covering a surface area of around 75,000 square meters, the new array will be composed of approximately 10,220 individual PV modules, each with a nominal power (peak power) of 460 watt-peak (Wp). Combined, the total installed power of the park is projected to reach around 4.7 megawatt-peak (MWp), with an annual energy yield of around 5.6 gigawatt hours (GWh). This is roughly comparable to the amount of energy consumed annually by 1,400 Austrian households. The entire energy output supplied by the new solar PV park will be used for Borealis production operations. The amount of renewable energy generated will reduce the annual CO2 emissions of this location by nearly 1,200 tons.
“Our partnership with VERBUND allows us to do our part in expanding photovoltaic capacity in Austria, a crucial step in implementing a more sustainable energy agenda for the country as a whole,” says Thomas Gangl, Borealis CEO. “With a current total of three solar PV projects and multiple wind power purchase agreements across Europe, Borealis is making real progress towards realising our goal of sourcing 100% of electricity used in our own production operations from renewable energy sources by 2030 – this underpins how Borealis is re-inventing essentials for sustainable living.”
“We have to act decisively and immediately, and we must cooperate if we want to successfully manage the energy transition from a fossil fuel-based to a renewable-based system,” says Michael Strugl, VERBUND CEO. “We are proud to announce this further important milestone in our partnership with Borealis. It is projects like this, which help us reach our climate goals and strategic targets.”
About Borealis
Borealis is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and sustainable polyolefin solutions and a European front-runner in polyolefins recycling. In Europe, we are a market leader in base chemicals and fertilizers. We leverage our polymer expertise and decades of experience to offer value adding, innovative and circular material solutions for key industries such as consumer products, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and mobility.
In re-inventing essentials for sustainable living, we build on our commitment to safety, our people, innovation and technology, and performance excellence. We are accelerating the transformation to a circular economy of polyolefins and expanding our geographical footprint to better serve our customers around the globe.
With head offices in Vienna, Austria, we employ 6,900 employees and operate in over 120 countries. In 2021, we generated total sales of EUR 12,342 billion and a net profit of EUR 1,396 million. OMV, the Austria-based international oil and gas company, owns 75% of our shares, while the remaining 25% is owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We supply services and products to customers around the globe through Borealis and two important joint ventures: Borouge (with ADNOC); and Baystar™ (with TotalEnergies, based in the US). www.borealisgroup.com | www.borealiseverminds.com
Borealis in Austria
The Borealis Group's largest production site is in Linz, Upper Austria. This is where the melamine and plant nutrient production, business support areas and the research and development center (Innovation Headquarters - IHQ), which opened in 2009, are located. The Borealis location in Linz is Europe's second largest manufacturer of high-quality melamine. Borealis employs around 1,300 people at its Linz location, including more than 300 international experts from 30 nations.
At its production location in Schwechat, Austria, Borealis produces polyolefins, plastic raw materials that can be melted and then molded within a certain temperature range. Borealis produces around one million tonnes of polyolefins per year at its Schwechat location, making the site one of the most modern and important plastics production locations in Europe. A total of around 500 employees are employed here in production, health, safety and environment, maintenance, purchasing, finance and controlling, quality control, logistics, IT and HR.
The Borealis Head Office is located in Vienna, Austria, in Central Europe and employs about 230 people from around 30 different nations.
Ecoplast Kunststoffrecycling GmbH, which is located in Wildon, Styria/Austria, processes waste from both domestic and industrial consumers into top quality LDPE and HDPE recyclates. Ecoplast became a member of the Borealis Group in August 2018. http://www.ecoplast.com/
About VERBUND
VERBUND is Austria’s leading energy company and one of the largest producers of hydroelectricity in Europe. The Group generates around 97% of its electricity from renewable energy, primarily from hydropower. VERBUND trades electricity in 12 countries and generated around €874m group result and €1,579m in EBITDA in 2021 with approximately 3,200 employees. With its subsidiaries and partners, VERBUND is active in the generation of electricity, transmission and in international trading and sales. VERBUND has been quoted on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1988 with 51% of the share capital being held by the Republic of Austria.
VERBUND is the decisive player for the success of the energy transition in Austria. The challenges that lie ahead require a new company spirit, which VERBUND is driving forward with its Mission V. The Mission V is a long-term and comprehensive transformation program and stands for the will to confront the climate crisis as a force for change. This program is based on the VERBUND Strategy 2030 with its three main pillars: Strengthening the integrated home market, expanding renewable energies in Europe and becoming a European hydrogen player. With Mission V, VERBUND is accelerating the achievement of the strategic goals 2030 and ensuring their implementation. http://www.verbund.com/
Media contacts:
Borealis Group Communications
Virginia Wieser
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications,
Brand & Reputation
T +43 1 22 400 772 (Vienna, Austria)
VERBUND AG
Ingun Metelko
Company Spokeswoman
T +43 (0) - 50313 - 53 748 (Austria)
mobile: +43 664 380 92 69
Borealis Central Europe
Eva Pfanzelter
Expert, Regional Communications
T +43 732 6981 5733 (Linz, Austria)
