Ahold Delhaize has made a big move towards clean energy by signing a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with BRUC, a renewable energy company in Spain. This deal will help fund and build five new solar power plants in Seville, which will supply 460,000 megawatt hours of energy per year. This amount covers about 30% of Ahold Delhaize’s electricity needs in Europe.
Construction of the solar plants is set to begin by the end of 2024, with energy production starting in 2026. The plants will produce 515 GWh per year, which is enough to power 132,000 homes. Ahold Delhaize will use 90% of the solar energy produced for the next 15 years and receive renewable energy certificates.
Frank Sluis, CFO of Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia, said, “This is a big step in our Renewable Energy Program, helping us reach our net-zero goals for 2040. All our European brands are working to meet this climate commitment.”
Paulette van Ommen, Director of Health & Sustainability, added, “This project shows our purpose of growing together and using our scale to bring positive change across Europe.”
BRUC’s CEO, Luis Venero, expressed pride in the partnership, stating it supports their 9 GW renewable energy projects.
Ahold Delhaize’s energy plan focuses on reducing energy use through efficient technologies, creating their own green energy, and sourcing green power through agreements like this. This initiative follows their Dutch brand Albert Heijn’s 2023 wind energy deal with Eneco.
With these steps, Ahold Delhaize aims to cut electricity emissions to zero by 2035, leading the way for sustainable energy in Europe.
