March 20, 2018
AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, DSM, Google and Philips receive first power from new Dutch wind farm Bouwdokken
Amsterdam, the Netherlands – AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, DSM, Google and Philips have started receiving power from the Bouwdokken wind farm in the Netherlands – a milestone achievement resulting from a unique green energy purchasing consortium they jointly established. All four companies consume a substantial amount of power in the Netherlands, and by working together they are making a significant contribution to delivering on the Netherlands’ renewable energy target of 14% by 2020. In October 2016 and January 2017, the companies signed two long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) that enabled construction of two Dutch wind farm projects – Krammer and Bouwdokken. These wind farms, both of which are located in the southwest of the Netherlands, have a total capacity of over 140 MW, enough to power approximately 140,000 households. It is the first time that a group of multinationals in the Netherlands have teamed up to negotiate long-term PPAs directly with project developers, bypassing the involvement of an energy utility company. The Rocky Mountain Institute’s (RMI) Business Renewables Center, a leading independent authority on sustainability, says the consortium is among the earliest examples of aggregated corporate demand successfully participating in clean energy markets worldwide. “This marks the next big step towards a new way of supplying energy for Dutch industry,” said Marcel Galjee, Energy Director at AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, on behalf of the consortium. “We brought together a group of companies that is united in its sustainability leadership. We believe it is of utmost importance to join forces and come up with innovative partnerships to achieve the sustainability goals of our companies as well as those set out in the Paris climate agreement.” Harry Coorens, VP Procurement Sustainability at Royal DSM added: “The collaboration and progress as shown in this initiative is well recognized outside the Netherlands. I receive questions from all over the world to explain this success story. It is a prime example to show an industry drive and collaboration that supports a mutual goal; creating a cleaner environment for people today and generations to come. Looking back historically, it’s interesting to note that this project was developed near the Delta Works, another visionary feat that is highly regarded outside the Netherlands.” Marc Oman, EU Energy Lead, of Google Global Infrastructure said: "In 2017, Google purchased enough renewable energy to match 100 percent of our consumption for global operations. Success with this consortium plays a meaningful part in our global clean energy plans, and as a company, we are continuing to push innovation for corporate renewable energy procurement.”
As a purpose-driven health technology company, a healthy planet is central to our mission, and we are making good progress to decouple economic growth from our environmental impact. All our operations in the United States are already powered by wind energy, and through this unique consortium, also our operations in the Netherlands will soon be completely powered by green electricity.
Simon Braaksma
Senior Director of Group Sustainability at Philips
Simon Braaksma, Senior Director of Group Sustainability at Philips said: “As a purpose-driven health technology company, a healthy planet is central to our mission, and we are making good progress to decouple economic growth from our environmental impact. All our operations in the United States are already powered by wind energy, and through this unique consortium, also our operations in the Netherlands will soon be completely powered by green electricity.” All four companies are also members of the RE100, a collaborative global initiative uniting more than 100 businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity, working to massively increase demand for - and delivery of - renewable energy. AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, which already sources some 45% of its energy from renewable sources, will use the green energy chiefly to produce chlorine, caustic soda and ‘green’ hydrogen at its site in Rotterdam, all essential raw materials in the chemical industry. DSM uses the renewable energy as an addition to its commitment to purchase electricity from renewable sources to manufacture products in health, nutrition and materials and create solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance. Google will supply its datacenter in the Netherlands with energy from the grid on which the wind farms are producing electricity. When both Dutch windfarms are fully operational, 100% of Philips’ activities in the Netherlands will be powered by Dutch wind energy, an important milestone in the company’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2020. The Bouwdokken wind farm is owned and constructed by E-Connection on the Neeltje Jans artificial island, which is part of the so-called Delta Works – a series of construction projects that protect the southwest of the Netherlands from the sea. Wind Cooperation Zeeuwind is a 25% shareholder of the wind farm, which consists of 7 turbines of 4.2 megawatt each. For more information on Bouwdokken visit www.windparkbouwdokken.nl
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2017 sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 74,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals
Industries worldwide rely on our essential chemistry in the manufacture of everyday products such as paper, plastics, building materials, and personal care items. Building on the dedication of our employees and our shared commitment to safety, sustainability, and open innovation, we have established a world-class business and built strong partnerships with our customers. We operate in over 80 countries around the world and our portfolio of industry leading brands includes Eka, Dissolvine, Trigonox, and Berol.
About Royal DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in life sciences and materials sciences, DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders simultaneously. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM and its associated companies deliver annual net sales of about €10 billion with approximately 25,000 employees. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
About Google
Google is a world leader in technology and focuses on improving the way people interact with information.Google’s innovation in online search and advertising have made Google’s website an essential part of the internet and one of the most recognizable brands in the world. For more information see www.google.com.
About E-Connection
E-Connection initiates, implements and manages complex and innovative wind energy projects in sync with their environment. E-Connection has several wind farms in Zeeland and on the Oosterschelde barrier, managed from its Kamperland offices. They also conduct innovative and supportive research promoting the use of wind energy. E-Connection acts as an investor on behalf of investors in wind farms and works with a core of professionals, bringing together all disciplines required for wind projects.
