McCain Foods to construct renewable energy system at Ballarat plant

Frozen french fries manufacturer McCain Foods Australia has initiated construction works on a renewable energy system to minimise carbon emissions from its Ballarat food processing facility.

The food processing facility will be equipped with Australia’s largest ‘behind-the-meter’ renewable energy system, which will subsidise McCain’s energy consumption in Ballarat by 39% while reducing 27,100tpa of carbon emissions.

McCain Foods Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India and China regional president Louis Wolthers said: “Globally, McCain Foods is committed to reducing our CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030, ceasing any reliance on coal by 2025, and having 100% of our plants powered by renewable electricity by 2030. This project makes a significant contribution to this target.

“There has never been a behind-the-meter system this dynamic in Australia, and we believe it will set a precedent for large-scale projects for other major processing businesses.

“We continue to demonstrate our commitment to ‘Growing Green and Golden‘ – sustaining communities, local economies, farmers and jobs for generations to come. That means every day, we’re making smarter decisions to reduce our impact on the environment in Australia.”

With 8.2MW of capacity, the solar system is funded through a partnership with Smart Commercial Solar under a power purchase agreement (PPA) and financed by renewable investment fund Solar Bay.

The system will use a combination of solar and co-generation technology and feature 17,000-panel ground mount and car park solar array.

It also has a co-generation anaerobic digester that will make use of biogas produced by food waste to generate energy.

Smart Commercial Solar official Huon Hoogesteger said: “We pride ourselves on trust and transparency, and delivery of energy solutions that make great financial, social and environmental investments.

“We’re proud to be involved in this industry-leading project, and we’re looking forward to seeing this become a commercial reality.”