Carlsberg: Using renewable energy as key component in sustainability programme

Carlsberg’s “Together Towards ZERO and Beyond” sustainability programme set high targets for decarbonising its breweries. A Power Purchase Agreement allowed it to make renewable energy a key part of its strategy.

Acting on an impactful sustainability programme

By 2030, all electricity must come from renewable sources that contribute new green power to the grid. This is one of the ambitious targets in Carlsberg’s ESG programme and sustainability strategy, “Together Towards ZERO and Beyond.” 

The programme sets clear, impactful goals and guides the efforts to reduce the brewery’s environmental footprint. including sourcing all electricity from renewable power by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality across all breweries by the same year.

In 2022, the electricity offtake of its Frederica brewery in Denmark presented an opportunity to create part of the impact the ESG programme sets out. But how could Carlsberg make sure to purchase green power with an impact beyond its own electricity consumption?

This was one of the considerations for Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, VP, Global Head of Sustainability & ESG at Carlsberg Group.

"At Carlsberg, we have already taken several steps towards greening our operations, but we can do more and we are ambitious,” he explained. 

 

Brewing with locally produced green energy 

Carlsberg chose to offtake renewable energy through a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Better Energy. The PPA is providing 29 GWh of renewable energy annually for the Frederica brewery. 

Along with securing green energy for its brewery, Carlsberg used its power purchase to contribute to establishing Better Energy’s Fraugde Solar Park. This was a way to add more renewable energy to the Danish electricity grid. 

“We are pleased to contribute to the green transition in Denmark by adding more green power to the Danish grid," says Simon Boas Hoffmeyer.

The park is now connected to the Danish grid. It is expected to deliver 81 GWh of renewable energy annually. 

Fraugde Solar Park is located on the island of Funen and spans over 70 hectares — equivalent to 105 football fields. Previously, the landscape was used for agricultural activities. Now, the park area provides a reprieve and possibility to recover from using fertilisers and pesticides

Carlsberg takes a significant step toward achieving its ESG program’s carbon-neutrality goals and reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable future by securing long-term renewable power for its Fredericia brewery. 

Impact of partnership

  • Carlsberg’s Frederica Brewery takes another step towards sustainable operations by offtaking green energy.

  • The PPA contributed to Better Energy’s Fraugde Solar Park with an annual production capacity of 81 GWh, equal to the energy consumption of 46,000 Danes.

  • Purchasing renewable energy through Power Purchase Agreements has become a key element of Carlberg's “Together Towards ZERO and Beyond” sustainability programme.

“The Power Purchase Agreement with Better Energy supports our sustainability programme, Together Towards ZERO and Beyond. Carlsberg is pleased to contribute to the green transition in Denmark by adding more green power to the Danish grid.”

— Simon Boas Hoffmeyer

VP, Global Head of Sustainability & ESG at Carlsberg Group.

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  • Add green electricity to your company’s energy mix with competitively priced energy produced without subsidies.

  • Contribute to a Better Energy renewable energy park that positively impacts surrounding communities and nature through your power purchase.

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  • A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) allows your business to purchase green electricity at a fixed price and volume over an extended period.

    Your power purchase contributes to establishing a new renewable energy park that positively impacts the surrounding community and nature.

  • When you sign a PPA, you purchase green electricity from a Better Energy renewable energy park. Each MWh your company purchases is documented through Gaurantees of Origin (GoO). 

    This is applicable to your market-based scope 2 reporting in line with GHG protocol and CSRD.

  • PPAs are typically long-term agreements lasting 5 to 10 years. The advanced demand for renewable energy enables us to secure project financing to build the solar park.

  • We believe all businesses should be able to buy green.

    Throughout dialogues, we’ll explore different offtake volumes that make sense for your business, and you will have full control over how much of your electricity consumption you want to cover through the PPA.

  • All you have to do to get started is get in touch with us! We’ll start by looking at your energy consumption and operations to understand your business’s needs.

    This allows us to propose a PPA solution and renewable energy park suited to your business.

    The length of the dialogues can vary, but we’re committed to making sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.

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