ANTWERP, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ExxonMobil today inaugurated its newest high efficiency cogeneration plant at its Antwerp refinery in Belgium. Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity and useful heat or steam used for industrial processes. In addition to generating 125 megawatts, the new plant will reduce Belgium's carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 200,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent of removing about 90,000 cars from Europe’s roads.

"Energy efficiency is one of the most effective tools available for reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Sherman Glass, president of ExxonMobil Refining & Supply. "Since 2004, ExxonMobil has invested in over 1,500 megawatts of cogeneration capacity in five countries."

With the inauguration of the Antwerp facility, ExxonMobil now has interests in about 4,600 megawatts of cogeneration capacity in about 100 individual installations at more than 30 sites around the world. This is enough capacity to supply the needs of more than 5 million homes in Europe.

"This new cogeneration plant allows for the efficient generation of electricity to run pumps, compressors and other equipment in our facilities, while at the same time, producing additional steam that is needed in processes that transform crude oil into refined products," said Gilbert Asselman, manager of the Antwerp refinery.

"With the latest technology, cogeneration is significantly more efficient than traditional methods of producing steam and power separately. This results in lower operating costs and significantly less greenhouse gas emissions."

Additional new facilities under construction in Singapore and China will increase ExxonMobil's cogeneration capacity to more than 5,000 megawatts in the next three years.

About the ExxonMobil Antwerp Refinery

The Antwerp Refinery is the second largest ExxonMobil refinery in Europe and has a capacity of approximately 305,000 barrels per day.

Antwerp’s new cogeneration plant will be capable of generating more than 125 megawatts of electricity. Construction of the facility required over 1 million man-hours. Antwerp’s cogeneration facility is more efficient than many traditional cogeneration plants because of its heat recovery system. In addition to generating steam, the cogeneration facility utilizes heat created in the gas-turbine exhaust to heat crude oil – the initial step in the process of converting crude oil into refined products. This alternative heat recovery technology is what sets Antwerp apart from other cogeneration units.

About ExxonMobil Refining & Supply

ExxonMobil Refining & Supply encompasses a global network of reliable and efficient manufacturing plants, transportation systems, and distribution centers that provide a range of fuels, lubricants, and other high-value products and feedstocks to our customers around the world.

For more information please visit our website: www.exxonmobil.com/cogeneration

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Business plans discussed in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including power production and the impact of refinery upgrades, could differ materially due to changes in applicable law or regulation; changes in supply and demand for refined products; the outcome of commercial negotiations; technical or operating factors; and other factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" on the "Investors" section of our website at www.exxonmobil.com.

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