Barry Callebaut and Empower New Energy Collaborate on Solar Project in Ghana
12 Sep 2024

Empower New Energy (Empower) and Barry Callebaut (BC) are pleased to announce the successful completion and operation of the solar power plant powering Barry Callebaut’s chocolate manufacturing operations in Tema outside Ghana’s capitol Accra. The 640 KWp solar PV plant, mounted on rooftop, ground and carport, is part of Barry Callebaut’s ambitious plan to become a net-zero company. The project is Empower’s third solar investment in Ghana, contributing to the country´s goal to increase its renewable share of the electricity mix to 10 % by 2030.

Global warming caused by fossil fuel combustion is an impending threat facing the planet. The BC solar plant marks a new milestone in the partners’ commitment to sustainable energy solutions. The Norwegian co-developer and investor Empower New Energy is the financier and manager of the plant, whereas Tino Solutions supported by CMR Group is the contractor for the installation, operations and maintenance. Generating about 1 GWh per year, equal to electrifying 618 households in Ghana, the project will curb about 500 tonnes of CO2 per annum, and result in or secure up to 100 local jobs.

In 2016, Barry Callebaut Group announced a bold ambition to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025. Under the forever chocolate strategy, the company is committed to four targets to address the biggest sustainability challenges in the chocolate supply chain, including eradication of child labour from the supply chain, lifting more than 500,000 cocoa farmers out of poverty, using 100% sustainable ingredients in all products and to become carbon and forest positive.

The CEO of Barry Callebaut Ghana, Krishnakumar Ramachandran Pillai said, “we are pleased to see that with this project, we cover a significant share of our power needs from solar PV modules generated locally, at our site. The solar project partnership with Empower New Energy is part of our “Forever Chocolate Strategy”, making the chocolate production 100 % sustainable.”

Terje Osmundsen, CEO of Empower New Energy, said: “We are very pleased to collaborate with Barry Callebaut to make this solar project happen. By installing solar panels on the roof, ground and on carport, this project shows how businesses in Africa can leverage their existing spaces to reduce energy costs and improve its environmental performance”

About Empower New Energy

Established in 2017, Empower New Energy is a renewable energy financier and co-developer that finances, builds and owns clean power plants for commercial, industrial and agricultural energy users.

The Barry Callebaut Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products. The Barry Callebaut Group has been producing chocolate and cocoa products for over 175 years. They are the reference for innovation in the industry providing a comprehensive range of services in the fields of product development, processing, training and marketing. At Barry Callebaut, they are committed to sustainable cocoa production.