Belgian chemicals and materials group will run French plants on 100,000 solar panels

Solvay is to run two plants in France on green electricity generated by 100,000 solar panels. To this end, the Belgian chemicals and materials group has signed an agreement with Spanish energy giant Iberdrola, that will build and operate a giant solar park on a former Solvay factory site in France's Grand Est. Solvay will buy electricity for 20 years.

The size of the park is huge: 100,000 panels, accounting for 77 hectares. This will make the plant, which would be commissioned by the end of 2025, one of the largest in Europe. The plant will produce nearly 75 GWh per year. Sixty percent of the power produced will serve two Solvay plants in France, in Tavaux and Saint Fos.

"We are delighted to partner with Iberdrola on this clean energy project that will significantly reduce the energy footprint of our Specialty Polymers and Aromatics in France," said Ilham Kadri, CEO of Solvay. "It is another important step in our Solvay One Planet roadmap, as we continue to raise the bar and accelerate progress towards our ultimate goal of carbon neutrality."

"Building cross-sector alliances to deliver new clean energy projects remains a key pillar of Iberdrola's global strategy, based on electrification through renewables, grids and storage," chairman and CEO of Iberdrola Ignacio Galán added.

(AHU)

© BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ