Borealis and VERBUND commission one of Upper Austria’s largest PV rooftop arrays

18.05.2022Linz, Upper Austria

Borealis and Austria’s leading energy company, VERBUND, are pleased to announce the installation of a new photovoltaic (PV) array at Borealis production location in Linz, Austria. The investment is in line with the Borealis aim to enhance the sustainability of its own operations while also supporting the Upper Austria Photovoltaic Strategy for 2030.

Rooftop PV arrays are among the cleanest ways to generate renewable energy. The ample availability of large surfaces on industrial buildings make them ideal sites for such arrays. Erected jointly by Borealis and VERBUND, the new rooftop PV array at Borealis operations at the Chemical Park Linz boasts a module surface area of 4,794 square meters. It is thus among the ten largest arrays of its kind in the province of Upper Austria.

Construction was completed in around six weeks. Pilot operations to optimise performance at the new PV facility started at the beginning of May 2022. Once the facility begins producing energy later this month, its output will be around 1 megawatt-peak (MWp).The PV array will supply around 1 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually; this is roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of around 250 households. The solar power generated by the new array will be used for Borealis operations at the Chemical Park Linz. It shall enable the company to reduce the annual CO2 emissions of this location by 350 tons each year.

“The new PV array in Linz is a welcome addition to our portfolio of Energy & Climate measures aimed at increasing the share of renewables in our own production energy mix,” says Thomas Gangl, Borealis CEO. “Like our first solar PV project powering parts of our operations in Monza, Italy, this array complements the multiple power-purchase agreements we have signed in recent months to source renewable energy from wind farms for our production operations in Finland, Sweden, and Belgium. We are picking up the pace in sustainable power sourcing by re-inventing essentials for sustainable living.”

“The best and probably only chance to reduce our dependency on fossil fuel imports, counteract high energy prices, and achieve our climate goals is to massively and rapidly expand renewable power generation and restructure our entire electricity system,” says VERBUND CEO Michael Strugl. “Together with partners like Borealis, we are heading towards a cleaner and safer energy future.”
Borealis and Austria’s leading energy company, VERBUND, announce the  installation of a new photovoltaic array at Borealis production location in Linz, Austria. photo: © Borealis
Borealis and Austria’s leading energy company, VERBUND, announce the installation of a new photovoltaic array at Borealis production location in Linz, Austria. photo: © Borealis

Media contacts:

Borealis Group Communication:
Virginia Wieser
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Brand & Reputation
tel.: +43 1 22 400 772 (Vienna, Austria)
e-mail: Virginia.Wieser@borealisgroup.com

Borealis Linz
Marlene Hess
Communication Specialist Linz
tel: +43 732 6981 3926 (Linz, Austria)
e-Mail: Marlene.Hess@borealisgroup.com

Borealis is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and circular polyolefin solutions and a European market leader in base chemicals, fertilizers and the mechanical recycling of plastics. We leverage our polymers expertise and decades of experience to offer value adding, innovative and circular material solutions for key industries. In re-inventing for more sustainable living, we build on our commitment to safety, our people and excellence as we accelerate the transformation to a circular economy and expand our geographical footprint.

With head offices in Vienna, Austria, Borealis employs 6,900 employees and operates in over 120 countries. In 2021, Borealis generated total sales and other income of EUR 10,153 million and a net profit of EUR 1,396 million. OMV, the Austria-based international oil and gas company, owns 75% of Borealis, while the remaining 25% is owned by a holding company of the Abu-Dhabi based Mubadala. We supply services and products to customers around the globe through Borealis and two important joint ventures: Borouge (with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, based in UAE); and Baystar™ (with TotalEnergies, based in the US).
www.borealisgroup.com | www.borealiseverminds.com

About Borealis in Linz, Austria
Borealis in Linz employs around 1,300 people at the production, marketing and sales of melamine and fertilizer and their International Innovation Headquarters.
Borealis Agrolinz Melamine in Linz produces plant nutrients, base chemicals and melamine. Melamine is mainly used in the wood working industry for housing applications such as flooring and furniture and is sold globally. Besides melamine, a broad range of plant nutrient products and special chemicals are manufactured in Linz. Borealis’ own wholesaling company for plant nutrients, Borealis L.A.T, is also based in Linz. Borealis L.A.T holds a number one position in the Danube region with the aim of becoming a leader in Europe.
The extended Innovation Headquarters in Linz hosts state-of-the-art research- and market development facilities such as laboratory scale polymerisation, an application hall and storage facilities as well as a customer service centre. About 470 employees from over 30 nations working in research and product development as well as in marketing and sales are developing the plastics materials of the future for Borealis’ global customers. www.borealisgroup.com/linz

VERBUND is Austria’s leading electricity company and one of the largest producers of electricity from hydropower in Europe. Around 95% of the electricity generated by the company is from renewable sources, primarily hydropower. VERBUND is active in 12 countries, employs around 2,900, and generated an annual turnover of EUR 3.2 billion in 2020. With our subsidiaries and partners, VERBUND is active in electricity generation, transportation, and international trade and sales. Since 1988, VERBUND has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, with 51% of capital shares held by the Republic of Austria.
As one of the most environmentally-friendly energy companies of Europe, VERBUND contributes significantly to security of energy supply. VERBUND is active on behalf of climate and environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources. Sustainability is an integral component of corporate strategy. VERBUND is a signatory to the UN Global Compact. It supports the UN’s Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
www.verbund.com

Contact

Martha Salaquarda, MA

Communications

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