World's biggest beer giant Anheuser-Busch (AB InBev) today announced that its Mysore unit in Karnataka has started using green energy and a power purchase agreement has been inked with Canadian firm Amp for ten years.
The brewery in Mysore, which manufactures beer brands especially Budweiser, Knock out and Beck's Ice, is the company's third unit in the world that will be operated through renewable source. The other two are in the US.
"We will source 80 per cent of the electricity requirement of the Mysore unit through renewable source. However, Budweiser will be made using 100 per cent renewable energy," AB InBev APAC South President Jan Craps told reporters here. A long term agreement has been signed for supply of renewable electricity of 3.6 gigawatt hours per year for a period of ten years with Amp, he said.
The solar power plant, which is located 60 km away from the Mysore unit, has a capacity to generate 30 MWAC and production has commenced. The company owns 10 breweries in India and seven are contracted. It plans to shift to renewable energy in all its breweries gradually.
AB InBev India President Be Verhaert said, "The adoption of solar generated electricity at our brewery is a first step towards extending Budweiser's global commitment to a brighter future. We are confiident that businessses can contribute to a 100 per cent renewable electricity future and plan to enter into similar agreements in the country.." AB InBev is one of more than 100 multinational firms to have committed to use renewable power to combat pollution and climate change under the Paris accord.