Dyno Nobel, a global leader in commercial explosives, has completed construction on a US$1.7 million ground-mounted solar array at its Wolf Lake, Illinois, facility.
The Wolf Lake solar installation is expected to produce more than 500 kW of renewable power each year, generating approximately 45% of the site’s current annual electrical demand.
The project marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increasing the use of renewable energy across its global footprint.
The Wolf Lake solar project began in 2023, and began generating electricity in January 2025. The project is expected to generate more than 500kW of renewable energy annually – representing nearly 45% of the facility’s current electrical demand – and avoid approximately 320 t CO2e annually. The anticipated reduction in purchased grid electricity will reduce operating costs by more than US$100 000 annually.
At a the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony with key stakeholders, Incitec Pivot Ltd (IPL) CEO and Managing Director, Mauro Neves, said, “The Wolf Lake solar project is a testament to our ongoing investment in sustainability and reliability across our global operations. The Wolf Lake facility is a leader in our portfolio for its commitment to implementing innovative solutions that deliver bene-fits to our customers, employees, and the region. I’m excited to see this project power the future of this site.”
Dyno Nobel Americas President, Greg Hayne, also celebrated the achievement and highlighted the expertise of the local team in Wolf Lake, saying, “This celebration is two-fold – not only are we celebrating our team’s dedication to environmental stewardship, but also the incredible expertise and work to realise this project by the Wolf Lake team. Their efforts will serve as a benchmark for future initiatives within Dyno Nobel, and we’re proud to celebrate this achievement with them today.”
The Dyno Nobel facility at Wolf Lake manufactures non-electric detonators and cast boosters, and is a key distribution centre, providing the products to hundreds of domestic and international customers.
The facility sits on 456 acres of land and employs 105 people. It has been recognised by the Illinois Historical Society as a Centennial business, and recently celebrated 100 years of operations in September 2024 with a small banquet and dedicated restoration of an Atlas era tram truck that used a small gauge track to move mate-rials around the grounds. The Dyno Nobel team at Wolf Lake also assembled a time capsule with various items including safety equipment, business cards, and photos to be opened in 2054.
The Wolf Lake solar array project is one of several decarbonisation projects providing IPL, with a pathway to a 30% operational GHG reduction by 2030, supporting the company’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2050 or sooner.