Shell is installing solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs of seven of its lubricant plants in China, India, Italy, Singapore and Switzerland.
Altogether, the panels are expected to generate over 7,500 MWh of electricity annually, resulting in the avoidance of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions of approximately 4,500 metric tons on a CO2-equivalent basis per year (equivalent to taking about 2,600 cars off the road for one year).
“Using solar energy to help power our lubricant plants enables us to reduce the carbon intensity in our lubricants supply chain,” says Richard Jory, Shell’s vice president of lubricants supply chain. “Every industry has to do its part in developing cleaner ways of working, and this is part of our commitment to run a safe, efficient, responsible and profitable business.”
The solar energy generated will be used to help power operations at the lubricant plants, lowering operating costs in the long run and reducing the reliance on the grid. All panels will be installed by the end of 2019. Shell is looking to expand the use of solar panels in other lubricant plants around the world.
