Budweiser Brewing Group has announced plans to use green hydrogen in order to decarbonise operations at its Wales brewery.
In order to combat the challenge, the beer giant has joined forces with leading UK-based green hydrogen energy company Protium.
The pair will to explore the deployment of zero emission green hydrogen at Magor brewery in South Wales, one of the largest of its kind in the UK.
Bolstering Budweiser’s ambitious sustainability objectives, the project would build the first large-scale hydrogen generation system at a brewery.
The hydrogen will fuel the production, as well as its key logistics assets including Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and forklift trucks.
If successful, the scheme will pave the way to a more sustainable future for the broader industry.
Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd said: “I am very pleased this project is taking place right here in Wales. Tackling climate change is a priority for the Welsh Government and this project at an important employer in the sector will be important to our efforts. It also has the potential to create new jobs and exciting opportunities in the area for years to come.”
The project, which is expected to be commercially operational by 2024, will involve one of the first deployments of the hydrogen purchase agreement (HPA) among both parties.
It will ultimately create the “first commercial platform” for the hydrogen economy by using long term zero emissions off-take agreements.
Budweiser’s existing wind and solar assets currently operating on-site will be used to manufacture the green hydrogen at Protium’s Hydrogen Production Facility (HPF), adjacent to the brewery.
The facility will include a battery, hydrogen storage unit, and a hydrogen refuelling station used for HGVs, saving approximately 15,500 tonnes of CO2e per year from 2027.
That’s the equivalent of removing roughly 3,300 cars from UK roads, or 12,000 long haul flights per year.
The Hydrogen Production Facility will also be fed by Protium’s own renewable energy electricity from the local area.
Mauricio Coindreau, head of sustainability and procurement at Budweiser Brewing Group, said: “Sustainability and the wellbeing of our planet are at the core of our business. Innovative energy solutions like hydrogen have huge potential as a key part of our sustainability strategy, helping us significantly reduce our UK carbon footprint. As a company we are committed to continuously exploring technology that can help us meet our ambitious 2025 Sustainability Goals, so the key focus of this project is to ensure the efficient operation, application, and sustainability advantages of green hydrogen.”
© Supplied by BoldspaceThe partnership with Budewiser is not Protium’s first venture into decarbonising the production of alcohol.
Earlier this year the company, which has a base in Scotland, revealed it is working at the Bruichladdich distillery in Islay to explore using green hydrogen to distil whisky.
Chris Jackson, chief executive of Protium, said: “Green hydrogen is a truly exciting opportunity for the global energy sector and the UK economy as a whole, with various energy leaders and environmentalists supporting its deployment, so we’re delighted to be working with a brand that shares our forward-thinking vision. The entire Protium team is thrilled to showcase the potential of green hydrogen and the benefits it can deliver to Budweiser, the local community in Magor, and the environment.”
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