Solar on tap: Australia’s Carlton Breweries signs PPA with BayWa r.e. for PV supply

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Australian beer may not have the best reputation worldwide, but by moving towards 100% renewable energy, Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) – a Melbourne-based brewer – is at least taking a responsible approach to the environment.

CUB’s goal is to eventually power all of its operations with clean energy, and this week the brewer has taken a giant step towards that by signing a 12-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with German renewable energy developer, BayWa r.e. for the supply of 74,000 MWh of solar PV per year.

BayWa r.e. will supply CUB with solar power from the 112 MW Mildura PV farm that is currently being built in the state of Victoria. A 4 km grid connection has already been completed, with Australia developer Beon Energy Solutions the EPC on the project.

As many as 300 jobs are being created during the construction and connection phase, and CUB’s CEO, Jan Craps said that the agreement represents a vital step towards the brewer’s 100% renewables goal.

“As one of Australia’s first and leading manufacturing businesses, we have a responsibility to ensure we play our part in tackling climate change and a range of environmental challenges,” said Craps.

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Other projects in the pipeline include the installation of solar panels atop all of CUB’s breweries in Australia, as well as improved water efficiency at all of its sites.

BayWa r.e.’s head of the energy business, Matthias Taft, added that the firm was delighted to be helping CUB reach its goals.

“For BayWa r.e., the partnership with CUB represents another success in Australia,” Taft said. “Since entering the market, BayWa r.e. is now active in solar and wind project development and the solar installer wholesaler market.”

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