PR / Amsterdam (November, 2020) – Since April 2020, Sol brewed at Zoeterwoude in the Netherlands has been produced using renewable energy from solar power, reaffirming the brand’s sun-inspired heritage and marking an important milestone in the brand’s journey to reduce its carbon footprint.
With the installation of 9,212 solar panels at Zoeterwoude, Sol is making a step-change towards more sustainable brewing and another achievement in Heineken’s Brewing a Better World sustainable development strategy. By harnessing the sun’s positive energy and infusing it into its production process, Sol is creating a whole new way for people to Taste the Sun.
To mark this achievement, Sol unveiled a new sustainability approach on its packaging, Brewed with Solar Energy. From the UK, to Australia, South Africa, Germany, Finland, Spain and the Netherlands, consumers across more than 50 markets will have access to the sunshine beer brewed at Zoeterwoude brewery, where the electricity used for brewing is 100% powered by the sun.
Diederik Vos, Sol Global Brand Director at Heineken said: “As the brand’s name suggests, Sol is all about the sun and aims to inspire people to connect to the positive energy that comes from it. Brewed with Solar Energy is a great way to reinforce our authentic, longstanding connection to the sun, while taking care of the planet and its people. It is our responsibility to conduct business in a way that can be a positive force for change and to provide people with a product that fits increasingly sustainable-minded preferences.”
Annually, the brewery generates an excess of solar energy that is enough to power around 300 homes for over a month. Heineken directs this energy into the public power grid for the neighbouring community to benefit from as well.
Brewing Sol using solar power supports Heineken’s sustainable development strategy, Brewing a Better World, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in production to 70% by 2030.
About Sol:
The sun has always been integral to Sol’s brand heritage since its beginning in 1899, when the original master brewer, upon seeing a ray of sunlight hit the beer, crowned it ‘El Sol’, later becoming ‘Sol’. The brands position, Taste the Sun, shows how every moment can be revitalised by the power of sunlight and encourages everyone to explore new possibilities and adventures out of the shadows and into the sunshine.
About HEINEKEN
HEINEKEN is the world’s most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. HEINEKEN is committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through “Brewing a Better World”, sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. It employs over 85,000 employees and operates breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN’s website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow us via @HEINEKENCorp
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