German chemicals giant BASF to build offshore windfarm to power Chinese manufacturing facility

The companies have formed a joint venture company, Mingyang BASF New Energy (Zhanjiang) Co Ltd, to execute the project. Mingyang will hold 90% of the JV and BASF 10%.

The new windfarm in Zhanjiang municipality in Guangdong province will have an installed capacity of 500 MW. Subject to construction approval from the authorities, it is expected to be fully operational in 2025. Most of the power generated will be used to supply renewable electricity to the BASF Zhanjiang Verbund site.

BASF described the offshore windfarm as “a key milestone supplying BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund site with 100% green power on start-up.” It said it is dedicated to building its Verbund site in Zhanjiang “as a role model for sustainable and smart production.”

BASF SE chairman Dr Martin Brudermüller said, “BASF wants to achieve net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2050. This offshore windfarm in Zhanjiang clearly demonstrates our commitment to achieving climate goals and is a lighthouse project on BASF’s pathway to net zero. The project will also contribute to China’s green transition in the chemical industry and to the country’s carbon-reduction ambitions.”

Mingyang Group founder and chairman Zhang Chuanwei said, “Accelerating net-zero emissions is a globally shared vision for a sustainable and liveable world. 

“Mingyang is committed to continuous technological innovation and is working with partners to promote decarbonisation project initiatives. 

“As a partner of BASF, Mingyang will provide its expertise in clean energy equipment and solutions to help create more green lighthouse projects, promote sustainable development in the chemical industry, and accelerate eco-friendly, green and low-carbon development.”

The Zhanjiang Verbund site will be BASF’s largest investment, amounting to around €10Bn (US$11Bn) on completion. It will be the company’s third-largest Verbund site worldwide, after Ludwigshafen in Germany and Antwerp in Belgium.