Installation of a solar farm at the Rionegro production site in Colombia
This project covers the installation of photovoltaic panels at a Groupe SEB production site in Colombia. They provide part of the electricity consumed by the site.
Main project's drivers for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Energy and resource efficiency
Energy Decarbonisation
Energy efficiency improvements
Improving efficiency in non-energy resources
Emission removal
Financing low-carbon issuers or disinvestment from carbon assets
Reduction of other greenhouse gases emission
Project objectives
Produce a portion (11%) of the electricity consumed by the Rionegro production site in Colombia from solar panels installed on the site.
Groupe SEB contributes to the fight against climate change by making commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2016, the Group joined the Science Based Target initiative (SBT), to align its low carbon approach with the goal of keeping global warming below 2°C by the end of the century.
Groupe SEB has set the objective of reducing its emissions per product manufactured by 40% (base year 2016).
To achieve these ambitious goals, it is concentrating its efforts on two priorities:
- Optimize the energy consumption of its plants,
- Increase in the share of renewable energy.
This is where this project comes in: the first project of green electricity «on-site» purchasing of Groupe SEB. It will serve as a pilot that can be generalised and extended in the future to other sites (China, Vietnam, France, USA, etc.).
More than purchasing energy, this project made it possible to install a photovoltaic power plant on a vacant land of a site. The solar electricity produced supplies a portion of the site. In addition, this project is concrete for employees and helps raise awareness of climate issues as well as shows the commitment of Groupe SEB on this issue.
On the Rionegro site, there are many lands available and Groupe SEB wanted to exploit these lands to install photovoltaic panels to generate a part of the electrical needs. Greenyellow, a green energy supplier for more than ten years in France and all around the world, is responsible for the installation and maintenance.
The photovoltaic plant has a 1,400-kW capacity and covers a surface area of around 14,000 m2. It will supply 11% of the site’s electrical needs. The rest of the electricity needed comes from the Colombian electricity network.
This installation has been in operation since October 2020, after two years of study.
Groupe SEB hosts the photovoltaic power plant and has committed for twenty years to Greenyellow to buy solar electricity cheaper than the market price. This allows a saving of €48,000 and 11,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent during the entire period of the contract. When the contract ends, Groupe SEB will become the owner of the solar power plant.
Emission scope(s)
on which the project has a significant impact
Scope 1
Direct emissions generated by the company's activity.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions associated with the company's electricity and heat consumption.
Scope 3
Emissions induced (upstream or downstream) by the company's activities, products and/or services in its value chain.
Emission Removal
Carbon sinks creation, (BECCS, CCU/S, …)
Avoided Emissions
Emissions avoided by the activities, products and/or services in charge of the project, or by the financing of emission reduction projects.
Scope 2 –Replacement of part of the electricity provided by the Colombian electrical network with solar power
- Quantification : 11 ktCO2eq
In Colombia, the average grid emission factor is 0.38 tCO2/MWh (electricity emission factor defined by the UPME Mining Energy Planning Unit of Colombia according to resolution 774 of 2018).
It is estimated that 11% of the site’s electrical needs (30 GWh) will be supplied by this installation for the entire duration of the contract (20 years).
The associated CO2 gain is around 11 ktCO2e throughout the contract period (20 years).
Key points
Invested amount
No investment
Starting date of the project
October 2020
Project localisation
Rionegro, Colombia.
Project maturity level
Prototype laboratory test (TRL 7)
Real life testing (TRL 7-8)
Pre-commercial prototype (TRL 9)
Small-scale implementation
Medium to large scale implementation
Economic profitability of the project (ROI)
Short term (0-3 years)
Middle term (4-10 years)
Long term (> 10 years)
Illustrations of the project
More than purchasing green electricity, this project involves the establishment of a new photovoltaic power plant that generates employment for its installation and maintenance.
It also provides a portion of the electricity consumed by the plant with clean energy, thus reducing its environmental impact for the surrounding populations.
This project is concrete for employees because it is close to the workplace. This raises awareness about climate issues and is a source of great motivation for all Groupe SEB employees.
The reproducibility conditions depend on the site’s solar resources, its vacant surface area for the installation of the plant, and its electricity consumption profile.
The solar market and government support vary from country to country and are constantly evolving.
An expert in the solar field is necessary. The expertise should include government incentives, insurance requirements and operational assumptions.
The contract must protect the company in all areas of risk, considering all potential circumstances.
A partnership was established with GREENYELLOW Energía of Colombia.
Contact the company carrying the project :
sustainabledevelopment@groupeseb.com
