Heineken Netherlands has made the step towards using solar energy for their distribution fleets. They have installed 12,000 solar panels, across eight locations in the Netherlands. The energy production of the panels is equal to the energy demand of 800 households. SolarAccess and Triodos Renewables Europe Fund managed the construction of the solar panels.
The solar panels are located in the Amsterdam, Houten, Oss, Drachten, Etten-Leur, Rotterdam, Heerlen and Deventer. The introduction of solar panels is in line with Heinekens sustainability initiative for a fully electric distribution fleet of HGVs by 2020 across major cities in the Randstad region (Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht). The electricity generated by the solar panels will be used for charging the batteries of 10 electric trucks.
SolarAccess has previously worked with Heineken together for the construction of 3,680 solar panels on the roof of the brewery in Den Bosch and projects in Belgium, the UK and Italy.
The construction of the solar power systems is another step towards realising Heineken’s aim for a climate neutral organisation. In addition to solar power, Heineken Netherlands makes use of several other renewable energy sources such as biogas energy in Wijlre in Den Bosch. Wind turbines in Zoeterwoude have also been commissioned for mid-2016. They will have a combined capacity of 12 megawatts, providing approximately 40% of the energy supply to the brewery.
