Lesaffre announced a solar Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with Sun’R, a direct sale of electricity between a producer and a consumer, that will supply the group’s largest yeast plant in Marcq-en-Barœul, France. Sun’R was founded 16 years ago and specializes in energy transition through photovoltaic projects and services dedicated to renewable energies. More than 1,000 employees are based in the Hauts-de-France region.

This CPPA enables Lesaffre to benefit from part of the green electricity generated by the Cambrai-Niergnies Séranvillers-Forenville solar park (Nord), located a few kilometers from Marcq-en-Baroeul. The Group will purchase the production of 25 MWp (Megawatt peak), or almost 25 GWh/year. The electricity will be delivered from July 1, 2023.

Volterres, a Sun’R subsidiary supplying green, local electricity and solutions to support the energy transition supported the two companies in closing this deal that enables Lesaffre to buy in a short circuit a part of the output from the Cambrai Niergnies Séranvillers-Forenville photovoltaic power plant.

Projects undertaken by the group to minimize its carbon footprint include the installation of a biomass power plant at the LIS by Lesaffre site in Cérences (Normandy), the installation of a wind turbine at the Algist Bruggeman site in Belgium, and the signing of a 15-year partnership with ENGIE Solutions for the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a waste heat recovery unit at the Lesaffre site in Marcq-en-Barœul (in November 2022).

The Cambrai plant is jointly owned by the Communauté d’Agglomération de Cambrai, SEM Energies Hauts de France, the rev3 project supported by the region, and Sun’R. It produces a total of 63 GWh/year, equivalent to the consumption of 27,000 households.

Photo: Lesaffre