AB InBev will brew beer with 100% renewable energy in Europe

Brewing giant AB InBev will convert to 100% renewable energy for its European production lines after signing a deal with energy firm BayWa r.e.

AB InBev, which makes Budweiser and Stella Artois, has secured a 10-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) which will allow the brewery to use energy from BayWa r.e.’s solar farms.

The plan, which will power 14 European breweries run by AB InBev across 12 countries, marks the largest corporate solar power deal across Europe to date.

BayWa r.e. is also developing two new solar farms in Spain which will generate around 250 gigawatt hours per year for AB InBev. The new solar capacity is expected to be added and connected by BayWa r.e. by March 1st 2022.

AB InBev produces roughly 55 million kegs of beer in Europe each year, and five million bottles of Budweiser per 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.”

The company’s UK arm has already started converting to 100% renewable energy, after securing an energy plan with solar power group Lightsource BP in December 2018, while it has also secured a renewable energy deal for its Russian operations.

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 combatting climate change through the buying decisions they make. In addition, AB InBev is able to source affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.”