Australia’s largest brewery has signed a contract with a German-owned Victorian solar farm with the aim of becoming energy self-sufficient through using solar power.
Because Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) want to use 100 per cent renewable energy, they have signed a 12-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with BayWa r.e.
The German renewable energy developer, service provider and wholesaler will subsequently supply the power from its 112 MW Karadoc solar farm in Victoria. Construction of the farm is due to start this month.
Individual CUB breweries will also be installing solar rooftop panels to help CUB achieve its ambitious environmental goals.
In-built reliability using solar power
According to CUB CEO Jan Craps, the leading manufacturer has a responsibility to tackle climate change and the environmental challenges facing Australia.
CUB is therefore spearheading the trend for more commercial premises to seek solar quotes. Solar power installations slash business power bills as well as being eco-friendly.
Shifting to renewable energy will ensure certainty of supply and pricing, Mr Craps claims. This is essential for any manufacturing company.
Yet the investment also stacks up in terms of cost-effectiveness, he adds. Operations can be powered at significantly reduced cost.
Furthermore, because individual CUB breweries remain connected to the grid, excess energy generated is fed back into the system.
Meanwhile, BayWa r.e. has created the 4 km grid connection and is due to start constructing the Mildura solar farm soon. It will be built by Melbourne-based Beon Energy Solutions.
The solar farm should provide 74,000 MWh per year of renewable energy; enough to power 7,500 homes.
It should also create up to 300 construction jobs, along with subsequent opportunities for long-term employment.
Australian breweries says cheers to using solar power
Various Australian breweries have already invested in solar energy to reduce carbon emissions and power bills.
The Australian Brewery in Sydney is installing 277 solar PV panels as part of a 100 kW solar system. This should power the entire microbrewery within 12 months.
Bright Brewery in Victoria’s Alpine region has chosen a 50 kW Enphase solar energy system featuring 192 solar panels. This is expected to save $180,000 per year and will therefore pay for itself over five years.
Solar-powered beer also set a trend among Newtown residents in Sydney. The boutique Young Henrys Brewery financed a 29.9 kW community solar array with 54 locals chipping in.
