Coca-Cola Amatil has joined the global RE100 renewable energy initiative.
The company has committed to power its entire operations, spanning six countries, with 100% renewable electricity by 2030 (by 2025 in Australia and New Zealand).
RE100 is led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP. It brings together more than 290 leading companies around the world that are committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity.
According to Coca-Cola Amatil Group Managing Director Alison Watkins, joining RE100 is an important step in Amatil’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.
She adds that the announcement follows the recent launch of the company’s 2020-2040 Sustainability Ambitions. This includes the commitment to net zero direct carbon emissions by 2040.
“Amatil is proud to be joining RE100 and playing our part in delivering a low carbon future by contributing to the effort to accelerate the global transition to renewable electricity,” says Ms Watkins.
“Moving to 100% renewable electricity across our entire operations by 2030 is critical to ensuring we meet our 2040 target of net zero direct carbon emissions, and it is the right thing to do as an increasing number of our customers, employees, partners, suppliers and shareholders look to us for continued leadership in sustainability.”
Coca-Cola Amatil Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer Sarah Cook says joining RE100 is significant as it means Amatil now has a firm target for 100% renewable electricity use across all of its operating markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, PNG, Fiji and Samoa.
“Given our scale, making a whole of business commitment means we will be able to achieve region-wide outcomes as we build on our existing investments in renewable energy sources,” says Ms Cook.
“This will enable us to maximise the positive impact to the environment, while helping to drive the growth of renewable electricity industries, including the creation of new jobs, in all of the countries where we operate.”
Renewable energy in Indonesia
Ms Cook says Amatil is particularly excited about what the announcement means for its Indonesian operations. The company has already kicked off its renewable electricity program with the opening of Stage 1 of what is claimed to be Indonesia’s largest rooftop solar system at West Cikarang in Java.
Covering an area of 72,000sqm, the West Cikarang solar project will generate 7.13MWp of solar power during peak capacity during the day (9.6 million kWh per year). Amatil plans to expand its solar program to several manufacturing facilities throughout Indonesia, in Medan, Semarang and Surabaya, with an expected energy production capacity of 6,052 MWh in the first year.
RE100 Australian Coordinator Jon Dee says he is delighted that Coca-Cola Amatil has joined RE100.
“Their target to go 100% renewable in this region sets a strong example for other companies to follow,” he says.
“By building Indonesia’s largest rooftop solar system, Coca-Cola Amatil is already demonstrating great leadership in renewable energy. However, going 100% renewable in Indonesia by 2030 will help to bring about a tipping point to renewables in that country and across the region.”
Other projects
In addition to the West Cikarang project in Indonesia, other renewable energy initiatives already undertaken by Amatil include three on-site solar projects in Australia at Eastern Creek (NSW), Richlands (Qld) and Kewdale (WA), and what is said to be one of Fiji’s largest rooftop solar panel installations.