InBev to brew beer in Europe with 100% renewable power
Belgian brewing giant AB InBev, which makes Stella Artois, Beck's, and Budweiser, amongst others, has signed a 10-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Munich-based energy company BayWa r.e., which will allow the brewery to operate using entirely solar power.
The VPPA will cover power supply to 14 AB InBev breweries in 12 countries across Europe, and is the continent's largest corporate solar energy deal to date.
BayWa is also currently developing two new solar farms in Spain which will generate an estimated 250 gigawatt hours annually for AB InBev. This new solar capacity is scheduled to be added and connected by BayWa by Spring 2022.
AB InBev, which merged with SABMiller in 2016, is the world's largest beer brewing company, with around 400 individual brands. The company produces around 55 million kegs of beer every year in Europe alone, and five million bottles of Budweiser every week.
Jason Warner, zone president for Europe at AB InBev, said: “As a brewer, we rely on natural ingredients – water, hops, barley and yeast – to make our beers, so we know that sustainability is not just part of our business, it is our business. From recycling CO2 released in the brewing process to eliminating plastic from our packaging, we are constantly looking to not only reduce our environmental impact but to have a net positive effect."
“As we welcome the new European Green Deal, we now ask our consumers, customers, colleagues, business partners and fellow companies to join us in shifting towards renewable power – we are making our 100% renewable electricity symbol available for any brands that are produced with renewables. This symbol is about driving positive change in what people buy in their weekly shop, order at the bar or drink with friends.”
Following an energy plan signed in December 2018, AB InBev's UK division already brews using 100% renewable energy. The company has also secured a similar renewable energy deal to power its operations in Russia.
As part of its 2025 Sustainability Goals, AB InBev has committed that all of its purchased electricity will come from renewable sources.
Matthias Taft, CEO at BayWa r.e., said corporations are “the new driving force in this transition and, within the retail sector, it means consumers can help play a part in combating climate change through the buying decisions they make. In addition, AB InBev is able to source affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.”
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