Focus on sustainability and clean energy by supporting the construction of agri-photovoltaic systems built by specialized operators. It is the choice of Ferrero, one of the first food companies in Italy to sign a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Falck Renewables. This is an agreement that aims to increase the amount of green energy fed into the grid thanks to the construction of two new photovoltaic systems integrated with agricultural systems in Sicily. The project is under development in the provinces of Ragusa and Trapani, on two areas owned by Falck Renewables.
Once in operation, the plants will produce up to 35 GWh of electricity per year – enough to cover the needs of about 13 thousand families – and will allow for an integrated production of native species and medicinal plants within them. Compared to the sustainability objectives set by the Ferrero group, the two plants will generate an amount of energy equal to approximately 50% of the electricity requirements that the Group currently purchases from the grid in Italy, “allowing the company to contribute positively to the reduction of CO2 and pursue its own sustainability objectives “as a note clarifies.
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For Ferrero, as Michele Ferro, Ferrero Chief Industrial and Supply Officer explains, this is an operation with a double positive implication: on the one hand, taking a step forward towards achieving the Group’s sustainability objectives, ensuring an energy procurement path 100% certified renewable electricity for the Ferrero plants, on the other hand it contributes to the achievement of the 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities by 50%.
To date, there are already 18 Group plants that purchase 100% certified renewable electricity, for a total amount of energy that represents approximately 80% of the electricity purchased in its production sites around the world. In the last few months alone, five other factories have reached this milestone: Poços de Caldas (Brazil), Vladimir (Russia), Bloomington (USA), Franklin Park (USA) and Manisa (Turkey).
For Falck Renewables this is the second long-term contract signed in Italy in 2021. The plants, which will remain the property of Falck, are in effect “agrivoltaic” plants and the agreement provides that Ferrero ensures a supply period equal to ten years. This is an industrial choice a little different from the mere acquisition of green certificates because it actually contributes to increasing the share of green energy produced in Italy.