Shell to Build Solar Power Plant at Moerdijk

Shell plans to begin constructing a solar power plant this year at its chemicals manufacturing facility in Moerdijk, the company reported on the 10^th January.

“Developing this solar power plant in Moerdijk fits within Shell’s ambition to play an active role in the Dutch energy transition,” Marjan van Loon, Shell Nederland president-director, said. “We are eager to limit emissions through energy efficiency improvements of our processes and investments in new energy activities at the same time. Other examples of Shell’s work in the Netherlands energy transition include offshore wind in the North Sea, electric mobility at our retail sites and residual heat from Shell Pernis.”

Shell noted that the Moerdijk solar power plant, which will boast an approximate peak capacity of 20 megawatts of power, will contribute to the chemical facility’s energy consumption. The installation – to be developed by Shell’s New Energies Business on an unused parcel of land at Shell Moerdijk – will generate the equivalent of what it takes to power roughly 7,000 Dutch households, the company added.

“Shell recognises that solar will play an increasing role in tomorrow’s energy systems,” stated Marc van Gerven, vice president solar with the company’s New Energies Business. “That’s why Shell is investing in solar projects and knowledge.”

Lori Ryerkerk, Shell’s executive vice president for manufacturing, said that teams at the 17 refineries and chemical plants Shell operates are implementing various energy efficiency improvements.

“They are investing in units to cogenerate electricity and heat, improving utilisation, upgrading equipment and technology and even selling excess heat to neighbours,” Ms Ryerkerk explained. “This solar project at Moerdijk demonstrates that creativity is needed and good ideas will be implemented to achieve our goal of reduced carbon intensity.”

Shell manufactures base chemicals from naphtha, hydrowax, gasoil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the Moerdijk facility, according to the company’s website. The majority of the chemical plant’s feedstock arrives via pipeline from Shell’s Pernis refinery. Some chemicals produced at Shell Moerdijk include ethylene, propylene, butadiene, dicyclopentadiene, benzene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycols, styrene monomer and propylene oxide.