In line with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality in its operating activities (scopes 1 and 2) by 2025, Plastic Omnium has decided to install a wind turbine at the Herentals production facility in Belgium. It complements the solar panels already installed in 2019 on the building's roof.
Main project's drivers for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Energy and resource efficiency
Energy Decarbonisation
Energy efficiency improvements
Improving efficiency in non-energy resources
Emission removal
Financing low-carbon issuers or disinvestment from carbon assets
Reduction of other greenhouse gases emission
Project objectives
In order to contribute to Plastic Omnium's ambition to achieve carbon neutrality on its scopes 1 and 2 by 2025 compared to 2019 CO2 emissions, the company is turning to wind power generation.
Through this project in Herentals, Plastic Omnium wants to reduce its environmental impact by installing a 138.5m high wind turbine with 3.5MW of installed power in front of the production plant.
Through the wind turbine project in Herentals, Plastic Omnium test the added value of the initiative for the Division and for the Group, with a view to deployment on other sites:
- An annual reduction of 1,400 tons of CO2 emissions from the site
- Annual local electricity production of more than 7 GWh with self-consumption of 4 GWh (approximately 50% of the site’s annual electricity needs)
- Energy independence in case of grid failure
- A limited exposure to the high volatility of the electricity market.
Emission scope(s)
on which the project has a significant impact
Scope 1
Direct emissions generated by the company's activity.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions associated with the company's electricity and heat consumption.
Scope 3
Emissions induced (upstream or downstream) by the company's activities, products and/or services in its value chain.
Emission Removal
Carbon sinks creation, (BECCS, CCU/S, …)
Avoided Emissions
Emissions avoided by the activities, products and/or services in charge of the project, or by the financing of emission reduction projects.
Scope 2 – Self-consumption of wind energy produced to replace electricity from the Belgian grid (about 50% of the annual electricity needs of the site).
Quantification : Production estimated at 7 GWh/year (theoretical data from EDF), of which 4 GWh are dedicated to the Plastic Omnium Herentals site.
This is equivalent to a reduction of about 800 tons of CO2 for the site.
Scope 3 – Introduction of the remaining production (3 GWh/year) on the Belgian electricity network.
Quantification : The introduction on the Belgian electricity network of the remaining production (3 GWh/year) avoids (all things being equal), the emission of approximately 600 tCO2eq/year.
The project was finalized in March 2022, therefore, these calculations are estimates.
The project has an annual production of 7 GWh (of which 4 GWh is dedicated to the Plastic Omnium Herentals site).
The carbon intensity of the electricity from the Belgian electricity grid was considered to be about 0.1998 kgCO2eq/kWh. Considering an emission factor of 0.0141 gCO2/kWh for the installed wind turbine, this represents an annual reduction of 742.8 tCO2eq for the site.
The annual electricity consumption of the production site is about 10MWh, which is equivalent to 1998 tCO2eq/year.
Moreover, the introduction of the remaining production (3 GWh/year) into the Belgian electricity grid avoids (all other things being equal) the emission of 557.1 tCO2eq/year.
Key points
Invested amount
PPA partnership (long-term electricity delivery contract between two parties).
4.5 million euros investment by EDF Luminus.
Starting date of the project
February 2017: Start of suppliers consultation.
December 2017: Signature of the contract with EDF Luminus.
October 2021: Start of construction of the wind turbine.
March 2022: Start of electricity production by wind turbine.
Project localisation
Plastic Omnium Herentals site in Belgium.
Project maturity level
Prototype laboratory test (TRL 7)
Real life testing (TRL 7-8)
Pre-commercial prototype (TRL 9)
Small-scale implementation
Medium to large scale implementation
Economic profitability of the project (ROI)
Short term (0-3 years)
Middle term (4-10 years)
Long term (> 10 years)
The contract has a duration of 25 years. The energy produced by the wind turbine is sold by EDF Luminus to Plastic Omnium Herentals at a fixed and preferential cost
Illustrations of the project
This project contributes to the following environmental benefits:
- Decreasing domestic generation needs and decreasing overall demand.
- Freeing up transmission systems to help meet domestic demand.
This project contributes to SDG 13 Climate Change Action & SDG 7 Clean Energy: By using less carbon-intensive wind power, the project reduces the company’s carbon footprint.
The project can be replicated depending on the following conditions: energy costs, wind exposure, local subsidies and taxes, local legislation and technical feasibility.
The economic balance necessary for the profitability of the project must be respected.
- Subcontracting the installation, operation and maintenance of the structure
- Partnership with EDF Luminus for the implementation of the production project and the submission of the file to the government agencies.
Contact the company carrying the project :
actforall@plasticomnium.com
