Kraft Heinz has partnered with energy infrastructure developer Carlton Powers to create a renewable green hydrogen plant.
The proposed new project, which is still subject to planning approval and financing, has the potential to meet 50% of the Heinz Beans manufacturer’s annual natural gas demand.
A global first for Kraft Heinz, the new plant at its Kitt Green manufacturing site in Wigan represents a bid by the food giant to meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
Set to enter operations in 2026, the renewable scheme will see hydrogen produced by an electrolyser using electricity generated from sources of renewable energy, primarily wind and solar power.
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The Kraft Heinz Company Northern Europe president Jojo Lins De Noronha said: “Our agreement with Carlton Power is an important step forward in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve our global goal of net zero emissions by 2050, with a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030.
“We’re excited to partner together to develop our first, renewable hydrogen energy project globally and hope to see more projects like these in the future.”
Carlton Power hydrogen projects director Eric Adams added: “It is critical that projects like this are brought forward to support British companies, especially in manufacturing, in reducing their carbon emissions and reaching Net Zero.”
The plans build upon Krafts’ procurement of 14.2% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2022, as published in its latest 2023 ESG report.
