Mars joined Australian companies in Sydney as part of an influential movement toward 100 per cent renewable energy on Thursday.
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Mars commercial manager factory services James Eskdale spoke at the meeting of RE100 members.
RE100 is a global initiative uniting more than 100 influential businesses committed to renewable energy.
Mars is adding new solar power to the national grid that is equivalent to 100 per cent of the company’s electricity use, as part of a carbon neutral commitment.
The confectionery company, with a plant in Ballarat, signed a 20 year power-purchase agreement with energy company Total Eren, who are developing the Kiamal Solar Farm near Ouyen in northern Victoria, in May.
With the cost of renewable electricity coming down rapidly, the business case for switching to renewable electricity is good and becoming stronger.
- Kevin Rabinovitch, Mars
The solar farm is expected to be operational by mid-2019 and generating the equivalent of all of Mars’ electricity needs by the following year.
Mars global vice president of sustainability Kevin Rabinovitch said Mars was joining with other like-minded companies through RE100.
“With the cost of renewable electricity coming down rapidly, the business case for switching to renewable electricity is good and becoming stronger. Mars’ long-term renewable electricity contracts are allowing us to achieve cost parity, and in some cases, significant long-term cost savings as well,” he said.
The Kiamal Solar Farm will include around 125,000 solar panels from which Mars will procure approximately 43MW annually.
“Mars, in partnership with Total Eren, will play a role in reducing Australia's reliance on fossil fuels – the power generated at the Kiamal Solar Farm will be supplied to the national grid, thereby increasing the ratio of renewable energy in the National Energy Market,” Mr Reabinovitch said.
The solar farm investment comes after Mars announced last year it would spend $1.34 billion to reduce emissions across its supply chain by 67 per cent by 2050.
The company’s Ballarat plant has also placed no waste into landfill since 2015.
IKEA, Google, Apple and H&M are also members of the RE100.
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