French oil giant Total aims for green with new investments
French Total took two steps towards a renewable future today as it announced plans to buy a new wind farm in the English Channel and acquired a plastic recycler Synova.
The oil major has teamed up with Denmark’s Orsted and Belgian Elicio bid for a 600 MW farm of the coast of Dunkirk. The farm would be big enough to power around one per cent of the UK’s energy needs during peak production.
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It represents Total’s first major foray into wind power after past investments in solar, including the $1.3bn acquisition of Sun Power in 2011.
Total’s head of gas, renewables and power said the move is in line with its “strategy to develop low-carbon electricity business in Europe.”
He said the partnership with Orsted and Elicio provides “solid foundation for success of a safe and competitive project.”
It comes as Total acquired manufacturer Synova which uses recycled plastics to produces around 20,000 tonnes of polypropylene a year for the car industry.
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“By contributing to the lighter weight of vehicles, plastics improve their energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Producing them from recycled materials will also meet the challenge of managing their end of life,” said Bernard Pinatel, the head of refining and chemicals.”
He added: “The acquisition of Synova is a concrete proof of our commitment to developing plastic recycling. It reinforces the activities we already carry out in recycling and contributes to Total’s ambition to be the responsible energy major.”