EU chemical makers in renewable-energy link-up

Brussels – The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) has signed an MoU to collaborate on the RE-Source Platform, a European alliance of stakeholders representing clean energy buyers and suppliers for corporate renewable energy sourcing.

Founded by SolarPower Europe, WindEurope, The Climate Group and CDP (RE100) and WBCSD, the platform pools resources and coordinates activities to promote a better policy framework for corporate renewable energy sourcing, at EU and national level.

“Corporate sourcing of renewable electricity can offer an attractive solution for chemical companies to secure clean and affordable energy with a longer time horizon,” Marco Mensink, Cefic director general said in a 27 June announcement.

“We look forward to working with the RE-Source platform to ensure the European chemical industry does not miss this key opportunity,” he added.

“Corporate renewable PPAs [power purchase agreements] all started with the ICT sector sourcing renewables for their data centres. Now energy-intensive manufacturing sectors such as chemicals are signing them too,“ noted Giles Dickson, WindEurope’s CEO.

“The RE-Source Platform aims to help spread the PPA model throughout Europe so that more industrial consumers can benefit from it. Having Cefic onboard will pave the way for more PPA deals in the chemicals sector, providing them with the clean, reliable and cheap power that renewables provide, Dickson added.