Anheuser-Busch buys big solar in US

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There are few things better than cracking open a cold one on a sunny day. Some lost philosopher, swept up by the winds of history, once said: “A one that isn’t cold is scarcely a one at all.” Well, U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch (AB), in a deal with developer Recurrent Energy, is banking on the symbiosis of cold ones and sunny days.

The deal puts AB in an impressive position, as when the project is completed and begins delivering power in 2021, the entirety of AB’s portfolio of beers — which includes a majority of Mexico’s beer market — will be brewed by using 100% renewable electricity. It also shows that more than just tech companies are interested in investing in renewable energy.

Furthermore, AB will now achieve one of its 2025 Sustainability Goals four years ahead of schedule:

Renewable Electricity and Carbon Reduction: 100% of purchased electricity will come from renewable sources; and CO2 emissions across the value chain will be reduced by 25%

Shortly after announcing the Anheuser-Busch PPA, Recurrent Energy also shared that it has come to an agreement with Energy Transfer on a 15-year power purchase agreement for the 28 MWac generated by the Maplewood 2 project, located adjacent to Maplewood 1. Both projects are expected to be constructed using high-efficiency multicrystaline modules from Recurrent Energy's parent company, Canadian Solar, which should come as no surprise.

Lastly, this deal represents the intersection of two substantial booms in the solar industry: large-scale corporate solar purchase contracts and the mass of projects planned for Texas. And as we see more and more massive solar projects under development in the Lone Star State, it’s logical to assume that we’ll see large companies following closely behind to buy the power that they generate.

By Tim Sylvia

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