Examples of electrifying our salt mining operations
Electrifying our salt mining operations is one way in which we are contributing to the energy transition goals. Here are a few examples.
Electrification in salt mining
2023
Pilot project with an electric crane
One initiative of our salt mining division in the Twente region in the Netherlands is a pilot project with an electric crane for workovers at our salt extraction sites. This has been used successfully for three large workovers, making these activities quieter and safer. We continued the pilot in 2024. The ultimate goal is to use electric cranes for all workovers and type 1 abandonments.
Another example is the use of six electric vehicles for inspection rounds in our salt extraction fields in Twente. The use of these vehicles has saved approximately 1,650 liters of fuel in 2023.
Electrically powered materials
In the Dutch province of Groningen, we have also replaced various equipment that used to run on fossil fuels with electrically powered materials. In addition to replacing the diesel forklift with an electric forklift at our warehouse in Heiligerlee, we also replaced the diesel-powered pump for pumping protective fluid in a salt cavern with an electric one. By applying a layer of protective fluid on top of the brine, we can protect the salt roof of the cavern and control its shape during leaching. In addition to saving fuel, the electric pump has also reduced noise levels in the area. This resulted in less disturbance to the surrounding community.