GHG Emissions, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  January 26, 2021

Celanese extends PPA to include solar energy

Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, announced on Jan. 26 that it has extended a contract to incorporate a solar power component into the electricity supply mix for its acetyl intermediates chemical manufacturing facility in Clear Lake, Texas. This contract equates to about 33% of Celanese’s annual electricity consumption at the site and approximately 65% of the site’s daytime electricity usage during the summer months.

The 15-year contract extension with Calpine Energy Solutions is expected to supply the facility with 45 MW of peak solar contracted capacity. On an annualized basis, this represents approximately 142,000 MWh of renewable energy and will equate to taking approximately 14,500 cars off the road. 

“Solar power energy is growing in relevance and significance as a source of renewable electricity and we are seeing that the resource availability is providing a better match to meet demand during critical times of the year versus other large, fast-growing, renewable sources,” Jon Mortimer, vice president of global manufacturing for Celanese said in a statement. “Additionally, solar power generation to the Clear Lake facility acts as a natural hedge to help offset high electricity prices during peak hours in the summer months.”

As the site owner, Celanese will extend this solar power supply to other site partners at the Clear Lake facility. Site partner Arkema, which owns and operates the acrylic acid and acrylic esters units at the site, has expressed a strong interest in solar power supply.

“Increasing renewable energy components with solar power at our Clear Lake site will allow significant greenhouse gas emissions reduction. This is fully aligned with the group commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce its absolute emissions in line with a global warming well below the 2°C trajectory, according to the Science-Based Target methodology,” Virginie Delcroix, vice president of sustainable development at Arkema said in the same statement.“Industrial organizations play a major role in the global transition towards sustainability. This common agreement on renewable energy at the world-class Clear Lake facility further demonstrates industry’s commitment.”

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