BayWa r.e. inks solar offtake with Velux Group

BayWa’s renewables business has signed a renewables power purchase agreement (PPA) with windows maker Velux Group.

The dual-site PPA between BayWa r.e. and Velux will start supplying the roof window manufacturer's European operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2024.

The PPA will support the development of two new solar parks in southern Spain, one close to Seville and the other near Granada.

The latter, called Alhendín solar park, includes BayWa r.e.’s first installation of agri-PV technology in Spain, which will allow for crops growing in-between the solar panels.

The plants will be grid connected in 2023 and 2024, with 80% of the electricity generated by the plants supplied to Velux, with the remaining share to be exported to the grid.

Commenting on the project, Lars Petersson, CEO of Velux Group, said: “Velux has always been about bringing daylight into people’s lives, and now we are very excited to apply the use of daylight, or more specifically solar power, to decarbonise our operations with renewable energy in the coming years.

“In our company, we have committed ourselves to fight the climate crisis and show sustainable leadership.

“And with this agreement, we are well on our way to achieving our aim for a 100% reduction of our emissions from operations by 2030.”

The development of both solar plants will include a comprehensive plan and community and environmental measures that will enhance local biodiversity and foster community involvement.

To ensure that the parks will always prioritise their local environment and communities, BayWa r.e. will be partnering with nearby universities – namely Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universidad de Córdoba – to form an interdisciplinary research group whose findings will inform a comprehensive and bespoke site strategy.

“This project is so exciting because it perfectly embodies the synergies between new solar generation, Agri-PV, community partnerships and biodiversity.

“It also underlines our deep commitment to sustainability initiatives,” said Matthias Taft, BayWa r.e.’s CEO.