Heineken starts construction of its 2nd CSP plant in Spain

Heineken NV (AMS:HEIA) has launched construction of a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant to secure thermal energy for its beer brewery in Quart de Poblet, eastern Spain, embarking on its second CSP-based self-consumption project in the country.

The brewer’s Spanish unit on Wednesday announced the news alongside local solar thermal specialist CSIN, which will build the plant on Heineken’s grounds and sell thermal energy to the beer factory for 15 years. After that, Heineken Spain will be able to acquire the CSP plant, the company said.

The whole project represents an investment of EUR 2.2 million (USD 2.3m), and CSIN secured financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to cover a part of the construction expenses.

The solar field at Quart de Poblet will span a surface area of close to 6,000 square metres (64,583 sq ft). The plant will be equipped with thermal energy storage and trough mirrors to capture sunlight to heat water in the pipes to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees F).

With the whole setup, Heineken Spain will be able to obtain 3,504 MWh thermal per year to use in brewing and packaging processes.

The CSP plant will be ready in June 2023, the brewer said.

The ground-breaking in Quart de Poblet comes just two months after energy firm Engie Espana started building a 43,000-square-metre CSP plant for self-consumption by Heineken’s brewery in Seville. Both projects are part of Heineken Spain’s efforts to achieve sustainable operations by 2025, with targets including net zero emissions, reduced water consumption and zero waste.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.044)

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