. Begins energy transition in production, supply processes
Clara Nwachukwu
Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc says it has developed a carbon neutrality road map aimed to assist the group in its energy transition process, through the introduction of a mix of renewables and cleaner fuels.
To this end, NB said last year, it launched the solar panel programme to power its plants beginning with the Ibadan Brewery, which saw reduction in its carbon footprints by over 11%, while preparing other plants for a cocktail of renewable energy mix suitable for their locations.
Expatiating on the energy transition programme, NB’s Supply Chain Director, Martin Kochi, at the company’s 2022 Pre-AGM Media Parley yesterday in Lagos, admitted that full carbon neutrality is not a walk in the park, the reason the management introduced different solutions for the various plants.
Kochi, who spoke in response to questions from Sustainable Economy Nigeria (https://sustainableeconomyng.com/), said the solar panels will be introduced in phases to plants in the south, while in the north; it will adopt hydro power, especially for the Kaduna Brewery.
It is not easy to replace the trucks yet, but we are exploring alternative possibilities by first, converting the trucks to CNG (compressed natural gas), which is a much cleaner fuel.
He disclosed that other solutions will involve the use of sustainable biomass (waste-to-energy) in its processes.
Regarding reducing emissions from its distribution trucks by replacing combustion engines in line with protocols ahead of 2050, Kochi said: “It is not easy to replace the trucks yet, but we are exploring alternative possibilities by first, converting the trucks to CNG (compressed natural gas), which is a much cleaner fuel.”
In terms of emission from the fermentation of yeast in the production processes, he said the waste is being used as by-products for fertiliser, and animal feed since the product is rich in protein, while working with different companies on various activities for the use of yeast.
Sustainability strategies
Earlier, the Breweries’ Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs Sade Morgan, disclosed that the management revamped its, Brew a Better World, and nine other ambitious areas as part of its sustainability strategies.
These, she said, rests on three pillars – Environmental, Social and Responsibility, while the other areas “cover carbon neutrality, circularity, watershed protection, inclusion and diversity, safety, community impact, addressing the harmful use of alcohol, promoting moderation, and providing non-alcoholic options for our consumers.”
This solar plant positioned us as the first brewery in Nigeria, whose products are ‘brewed by the sun’, and will supply approximately 800MWh of solar power to the brewery annually, while reducing C02 (carbon dioxide) emissions at the brewery by over 10,000 tonnes throughout the lifespan of the plant.
In the area of environmental protection, Morgan informed that Nigerian Breweries in April last year, inaugurated “a 663.6 kWp solar plant that powers our Ibadan Brewery, installed in partnership with CrossBoundary.
“This solar plant positioned us as the first brewery in Nigeria, whose products are ‘brewed by the sun’, and will supply approximately 800MWh of solar power to the brewery annually, while reducing C02 (carbon dioxide) emissions at the brewery by over 10,000 tonnes throughout the lifespan of the plant.”
Furthermore, she disclosed that the breweries closed the year (2021), “by achieving zero waste-to-landfill at five of our production locations – Awo-Omamma, Ijebu-Ode, Lagos, Kakuri and Kaduna.”
She added that this “contributed to our overall performance of 95.6% waste diversion to landfill. This is an improvement from our performance of 94% in 2020.”
besides, Morgan said NB Plc also commenced a reforestation project in the Olokomeji Forest Reserve in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the Ogun State Ministry of Forestry.
“With this project, we aim to balance the water used in four of our breweries that are located in water-stressed regions. We planted 30,500 trees on 25.4 hectares in 2021, and the project will run until 2030, by which time we will have planted 600,000 trees on 500 hectares within the forest reserve.
“In further demonstration of our commitment to responsible use of water resources, our average water consumption reduced from 3.80hl to 3.70hl for every hectolitre of beer produced,” she said.
