Heineken bets on own solar plant in Midvaal to beat blackouts
The brewer says green energy plant will provide 30% of its power needs
26 October 2022 - 19:04
byNqobile Dludl
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Heineken SA's solar power plant at its Sedibeng, Midvaal brewery. Picture: SUPPLIED
A new solar power plant at Heineken’s SA unit will supply 30% of a brewery’s electricity demand, the brewer said on Wednesday, the latest company to seek an alternative supply as the state-owned utility’s rolling power cuts hammer productivity.
“This project supports Heineken’s ‘Brewing a Better World’ goal to reach net-zero (carbon emissions) status in all its production sites by 2030,” Richard Kriel, Heineken’s engineering, strategic projects & sustainability manager said. “It is the latest move made by the company on its journey towards more sustainable brewing.”
Kriel was speaking at a launch event for the solar power plant at the company’s Sedibeng brewery in Midvaal.
The plant, which began producing power in May, is the largest free-standing solar plant powering a brewery in SA, and the largest within the Heineken group, boasting 14,000 panels with an energy capacity of more than 6.5MW. It will provide 30% of the brewery’s electricity demand, the company said.
The 19ha project will generate 17,000MWh of electricity a year, Heineken added.
The solar plant, which has an estimated lifespan of 25 years, has been undertaken in partnership with The Sola Group, a vertically integrated provider of renewable energy solutions in SA.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Heineken bets on own solar plant in Midvaal to beat blackouts
The brewer says green energy plant will provide 30% of its power needs
A new solar power plant at Heineken’s SA unit will supply 30% of a brewery’s electricity demand, the brewer said on Wednesday, the latest company to seek an alternative supply as the state-owned utility’s rolling power cuts hammer productivity.
“This project supports Heineken’s ‘Brewing a Better World’ goal to reach net-zero (carbon emissions) status in all its production sites by 2030,” Richard Kriel, Heineken’s engineering, strategic projects & sustainability manager said. “It is the latest move made by the company on its journey towards more sustainable brewing.”
Kriel was speaking at a launch event for the solar power plant at the company’s Sedibeng brewery in Midvaal.
The plant, which began producing power in May, is the largest free-standing solar plant powering a brewery in SA, and the largest within the Heineken group, boasting 14,000 panels with an energy capacity of more than 6.5MW. It will provide 30% of the brewery’s electricity demand, the company said.
The 19ha project will generate 17,000MWh of electricity a year, Heineken added.
The solar plant, which has an estimated lifespan of 25 years, has been undertaken in partnership with The Sola Group, a vertically integrated provider of renewable energy solutions in SA.
Reuters
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