Iberdrola and Danone España join Forces Behind the Creation of Europe’s Biggest Photovoltaic Plant

Iberdrola and Danone have joined forces in their sustainability commitments with the signing of a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which will drive the development of Europe’s biggest photovoltaic plant.

The initiative consolidates Danone’s long-term renewable strategy and means that 100% of the renewable electricity used in its plants and factories in Spain will come from this solar project. The agreement reached will guarantee the long-term green supply of electricity to all Danone’s Spanish production plants and its natural water sources, located in Asturias, Barcelona, Gerona, Guadalajara, Granada, Madrid and Valencia; as well as its logistics centres and offices. Danone España’s suppliers, Graham Packaging and Salvesen Logística, have also joined the alliance.

The terms of the agreement reached between the two companies establish that Iberdrola will provide green energy to the 29 supply points in Danone in Spain for a period of 10 years from April 2022. The consumption to be supplied under the PPA formula will be 73 GWh/year. Danone will complete its green energy supply with another annual energy contract with Iberdrola up to 104 GWh/year.

The 100% renewable electricity supplied will come from the Francisco Pizarro project – currently the largest photovoltaic plant planned for Europe with a capacity of 590 MW – which Iberdrola is building in the municipalities of Torrecillas de la Tiesa and Aldeacentenera, in Cáceres, Extremadura. Operational in 2022, the project will see 245,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year saved, it will further enhance the competitiveness of solar technology and make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change.

The €300m project will contribute to the creation of employment – more than 1,200 workers are expected to be involved at key stages of its delivery – helping to boost local industry.

“PPAs open the door to many opportunities for the development of renewable projects that are transforming the present and future of energy in our country and contributing towards its economic recovery. Long-term power purchase agreements provide stability to investments and have become the perfect tool for the management of the electricity supply for large consumers who are committed to clean and sustainable consumption. These agreements demonstrate the competitiveness of renewables and their ability to supply energy at affordable and stable prices”, explains Ángeles Santamaría, CEO of Iberdrola España.

For Danone, the health of people and of the planet are closely connected, as reflected in their vision: “One Planet.One Health”. “Our aspiration is to progress towards a new way of doing business that takes into account not just results but also the financial and social impact of our activity”, says Paolo Tafuri, general manager of Danone Iberia. “This initiative will help us turn our ambitious environmental commitments into reality – goals that form part of our global strategy and affect our entire value chain”, he concludes.