Major Australian brewery supplied with solar power

Nine months after signing a 12-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable energy provider BayWa r.e., Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) has begun using solar power for its brewery operations.

The PPA entitles CUB to 74,000 MWh per year of renewable energy — enough to power 7500 homes — from BayWa r.e.’s newly completed solar farm in Karadoc, Victoria. The 112 MW solar farm, which at 269 ha is the largest in Northern Victoria, was constructed by Melbourne-based Beon Energy Solutions and achieved full energisation in November, enabling CUB to begin sourcing renewable energy generated at the farm.

“This is an important step towards achieving our commitment to source 100% of our electricity from renewables,” said Peter Filipovic, CUB’s Business Unit President.

“In addition to our PPA, we will soon be installing solar panels at our breweries.

“Everyone has a responsibility to play their part to tackle climate change. CUB is no different.

“The investment also stacks up when you look at the reduced price we will be paying to power our operations. Moving to renewable energy will ensure that we have certainty of supply and pricing.”

Matthias Taft, a board member at BayWa AG, commented: “This is a great milestone for BayWa r.e. in Australia. Since entering the market in 2016, we have become active in solar and wind development as well as the solar installer wholesaler market.

“With Karadoc coming online, the partnership we have with CUB is a great example of how corporations are taking an active lead in driving the renewable transition in Australia.

“We are delighted to be playing our part in supporting CUB in realising its renewable energy goals.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/kieferpix

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