Industrial, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  April 20, 2021

Hershey’s Partners with Renewable Energy Providers to Achieve Sustainability Goals

The Hershey Company announced two new agreements with solar providers that will help the candy and snacks magnate to reach its 2030 target of 50% emissions reduction.

"As we continue on our path towards an increased reliance on clean and renewable energy, we're excited to partner with BayWa r.e. and National Grid Renewables to develop these solar projects in North Carolina and Texas," said Jeff King, Senior Director of Global Sustainability and Social Impact, in a statement. "Not only will these solar projects help Hershey to reduce its impact on the environment, they will also create jobs and help contribute to the growth of local economies and our commitment to reduce our GHG footprint."

Advised by Edison Energy, Hershey has partnered with Baywa r.e. to fund the first solar farm in Camden, North Carolina. This 15-year PPA allows the financing and construction of Hershey’s first utility-scale solar project, a 20 MW array that will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 32,025 metric tons.

Hershey has also signed a PPA with National Grid Renewables on the under-construction, 50-megawatt solar Noble Project in Denton County, Texas. Supported by several companies, the Noble Project will lower annual emissions by 450,000 metric tons. Hershey’s contract will supply them with 118,000 MWh of clean energy per year.

Together, these two solar deals will reduce Hershey's annual CO2 footprint by 115,650 metric tons. Combined with the company’s other sustainability projects, this achievement will help Hershey’s operations reach their Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). At that point, they will align with the Paris Climate Agreement’s list of best practices to help limit global temperature rise to 1. 5°C.

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