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We can get snarky about Big Beer here at American Craft Beer. So it’s only fair that we applaud companies like Anheuser-Busch when they adopt sustainability strategies that could make for a better world.
Here’s the deal…
AB InBev, home to a worldwide family of brands including Budweiser, has furthered its global commitment to its 2025 Sustainability Goals, which include purchasing all electricity from renewable energy sources, with its latest announcement.
AB InBev UK has finalized the United Kingdom’s largest ever unsubsidized solar power deal with Lightsource BP, Europe’s largest solar energy company which is projected to be up and running by the end of 2020.
The deal means that Lightsource BP will fund, develop and operate solar installations that will provide more than 100 megawatts of solar power to AB InBev breweries in the UK – enough electricity to power 18,000 homes.
AB InBev currently operates two main breweries in the United Kingdom one in South Wales, and the other in Lancashire, which together produce more than 17 million bottles and cans of Budweiser according to the Drinks Business.
Just as in the US, all Budweiser brewed and sold beer in the UK will soon feature a new symbol indicating that it was made with 100% renewable electricity.
Jason Warner, zone president for AB InBev in Europe explained that “this deal is about driving positive change in what people buy. “We want to build a movement towards celebrating and growing renewable electricity.”
Nick Boyle, Group CEO at Lightsource BP, said the partnership is “further proof that solar power can now be delivered at a cost-competitive price.” And he added that the new partnership “will help transform the energy mix for one of the UK’s biggest brewers, contributing to the overall share of renewables production across the UK.”
As part of the company’s plans to convert its entire dedicated fleet truck fleet to renewable power, Anheuser-Busch announced in May that they’ve placed an order with Nikola Motor Company, a leader in hydrogen-electric renewable technology, for up to 800 hydrogen-electric powered semi-trucks in the US by 2025.
This week’s announcement is yet another step in AB InBev reaching its sustainability goals, which include a 25% reduction in its carbon emissions against a 2017 baseline, the equivalent to taking 1.5 million cars off the road every year.
All image credits: AB InBev
