Pioneer Foods recently joined forces with reputed energy solutions service provider, Energy Partners, to roll out a national solar programme.

The programme entails the installation of large commercial solar systems with a combined size of over 2 531 kilowatt peak (kWp) at five of Pioneer’s manufacturing facilities, including Wadeville, Clayville, Bloemfontein, Klerksdorp and Worcester. The project is expected to yield a total savings of R116 million over the next 25 years.

Niel Tolken, Project Engineer for Pioneer Foods says, “Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s overall strategy. The installation of alternative energy is a part of the organisation’s journey towards minimising its carbon footprint. We are very satisfied with the quality of the installation and we look forward to the anticipated results.”

Manie de Waal, Head of the solar division at Energy Partners adds, “The solar programme allows the sites to generate solar electricity for its own consumption at a cost of up to 18% less than that of an electricity supplier. In addition to its savings potential, the installation of these solar solutions will also decrease the company’s carbon footprint. The total annual effective carbon offset for these solar plants is approximately 3 800 tonnes per year.”