21 September 2023

Axpo and Nobian have signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) in the Netherlands, the companies announced today. The PPA will see Axpo provide solar power to Nobian’s operations at Delfzijl from a facility developed by WIRCON, a large and growing international solar energy developer.

Under the 15-year agreement, Axpo will procure 17 GWh of renewable energy annually from a WIRCON solar park in the Netherlands and deliver it to Nobian’s production facilities. This corresponds to the annual consumption of nearly 6,000 Dutch households, saving the equivalent of more than 6,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. 

Nobian’s Director Energy, Johan Hospers, said: “The Northern Netherlands plays an important role in large-scale energy generation. In addition, Delfzijl is home to about 10 - 15% of basic chemicals in the Netherlands. With the renewable electricity we purchase from the WIRCON solar farm located near the chemical park Delfzijl, we reduce CO₂ emissions in our salt, chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen production in Delfzijl. And in doing so, we boost our renewable energy portfolio and the transition to a sustainable energy system, in line with Nobian's 'Grow Greener Together' strategy."

Axpo Netherlands’ Branch Manager, Michiel Rutgers, added: “We are delighted to have entered into this long-term PPA with Nobian and WIRCON, which will make a significant contribution towards delivering Nobian’s specific renewable energy needs for a considerable time to come. It is through agreements like these that Axpo brings added value to our clients, assuming and managing risks on their behalf to help realise their renewable projects and achieve their sustainability targets.”

WIRCON’s Managing Director Dr. Jörg Gerike added: “We are pleased to have built a second solar park with in the north-east of the Netherlands in just five months together with Groningen Seaports as the landowner and provide renewable energy with Valgenweg solar park. After the construction and operation of a first solar park with 30,8 MWp, WIRCON realised the high quality Valgenweg solar park on time and budget. This is a great basis for further successful partnerships.” 

Groningen Seaports’ CEO Cas König said: “We are proud to take part in solar and wind energy projects, in this way we will contribute to a sustainable energy production within our area. Groningen Seaports and its customers need renewable power in order to make the operations and production more sustainable. Participation by Groningen Seaports in this solar park as one of the shareholders fits well in this strategy. One of the local energy corporations “Bronnen van ons” is as well involved as shareholder. In this way also local households in the province of Groningen can benefit from this renewable energy.”