ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize announces it has signed a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with the Spanish renewable energy company BRUC to support the financing and construction of a cluster of five solar power plants in Seville, Spain. This corresponds to approximately 30 percent of Ahold Delhaize’s total electricity usage in its European operations. The project is an important step within Ahold Delhaize’s Renewable Energy Program and contributes to its wider 2040 strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its own operations (scope 1 and 2).
"We are thrilled about the signing of this VPPA and the development of the solar plants in Seville, Spain," Frank Sluis, Chief Financial Officer of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, stated. "It marks a significant step in our Renewable Energy Program, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, generating our own renewable energy, and sourcing green energy. It underscores our ambition to achieve our 2040 scope 1 and 2 net-zero commitment. All of our great local brands in Europe are on a clear path to delivering on our climate agenda."
Construction is expected to start before the end of the year, with energy generation to commence in 2026. This project will add 515 GWh per year of new solar energy capacity to the grid, equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 132,000 households, according to a press release.
Ahold Delhaize will contract approximately 90 percent of the cluster’s installed capacity and will receive Guarantees of Origin (renewable energy certificates) for a period of 15 years.
"With this commitment, we will add new renewable electricity to the European grid," Paulette van Ommen, Director of Health and Sustainability, Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, said. "This solar project is a shining example of how we bring our Growing Together purpose and strategy to life and shows how we can leverage our scale to launch an impactful initiative across European brands."
Luis Venero, Chief Executive Officer of BRUC, also commented.
"We are pleased to announce the signing of this VPPA with Ahold Delhaize. This agreement, along with other (V)PPAs signed this year and those planned in the coming years, supports our portfolio of over 9 GW," he stated. "We are proud to partner with Ahold Delhaize and jointly demonstrate our commitment to sustainable energy growth."
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