In Schwechat, Austria, Borealis and VERBUND are building a new photovoltaic park to supply Borealis’ operations with electricity.
A renewed partnership
In Schwechat, Borealis and VERBUND announce the installation of a new photovoltaic generator. The new photovoltaic park will supply electricity to Borealis’ on-site operations. In addition, this is the second project in a partnership between the two companies.
The production provided by the new facility in Schwechat brings Borealis closer to its supply target. Indeed, the company’s ambition is to be supplied with 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Thus, this new project demonstrates the additional commitment of both partners to invest in a more environmentally friendly energy future.
The Schwechat solar park is located on an industrial site where Borealis has production operations. The construction phase began in May 2022 with completion expected by the end of the year. Thus, the energy supply should start soon after the completion of the work.
The Schwechat solar power plant covers an area of approximately 75,000 square meters. Thus, the site hosts about 10,220 photovoltaic modules. In addition, each module has a nominal power of 460Wp.
Supporting the energy transition
The Schwechat site should thus reach a total installed capacity of about 4.7MWp. In addition, the annual energy yield is approximately 5.6GWh. Thus, the park would be able to supply about 1400 Austrian households each year.
The entire energy production of the new solar photovoltaic park in Schwechat will supply Borealis. Thomas Gangl, CEO of Borealis, states:
“Our partnership with VERBUND allows us to play our part in expanding photovoltaic capacity in Austria, a crucial step in implementing a more sustainable energy program for the entire country. With a current total of three solar PV projects and multiple wind power purchase agreements across Europe, Borealis is making real progress towards our goal of supplying 100% of the electricity used in our own generation operations from renewable energy sources by 2030 – this underpins how Borealis is reinventing the essentials for sustainable living.”
With this solar power plant project in Schwechat, the two partners are cooperating to successfully manage the energy transition.
In Schwechat Borealis produces polyolefins. The company produces about one million tons of polyolefins per year at its site. In addition, the site has approximately 500 employees working in production, health, safety and environment.
VERBUND produces about 97% of its electricity from renewable energies, mainly from hydropower. The group trades electricity in 12 countries and will generate approximately €874 million in earnings in 2021. Finally, the Austrian state holds 51% of the company’s share capital.
