Air Liquide Signs Its Biggest PPA To Decarbonize Ops In Netherlands

Air Liquide has announced that it has signed its biggest long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to date with approximately 115 MW of new offshore wind electricity, purchased to Vattenfall in the Netherlands. Air Liquide is in the business of production, distribution and sale of industrial and medical gases, technologies and services through 26 industrial sites.

Air Liquide said that the PPA comes in addition to a previous agreement announced with Vattenfall in March 2021, expanding the long-term partnership between the two groups. Air Liquide commits to lead the way in decarbonizing the European industry while lowering its own carbon footprint, in line with its Sustainable Development objectives.

The official statement mentions that Air Liquide has signed a 15 year contract starting in 2025 with Vattenfall which is one of Europe’s leading producers and retailers of electricity. The renewable energy will be generated by the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) offshore wind farm which is currently under construction by Vattenfall off the Dutch coast.

This agreement will enable Air Liquide to supply its current industrial and medical gas production assets in the Netherlands and more generally in Benelux with renewable energy. It will also feed some of its large-scale decarbonization projects in the region. The agreement will also allow Air Liquide to cover more than 30% of the Group’s current electricity consumption in the Benelux.

Over the contract duration, this will avoid the emission of up to 3.5 million tonnes of CO2, which is comparable to the emissions generated by over 150,000 Dutch households.

Pascal Vinet, Senior Vice President, Air Liquide, said, “Securing access to renewable energy is a key element of Air Liquide’s decarbonization and Sustainable Development strategy. It allows the Group not only to significantly reduce its carbon footprint but also to meet the growing demand from its customers for competitive low-carbon solutions. With this PPA, Air Liquide also strongly confirms its commitment to actively support the energy transition in Europe.”