Lesaffre and Qair sign renewable electricity purchase agreement

25. March 2024

Lesaffre and Qair, an independent renewable energy company, signed an 18-year contract for the direct purchase of renewable electricity (CPPA) from an agrivoltaic plant – a synergy between agricultural production and photovoltaic energy.

Covering a forecast annual purchase volume of around 34 GWh, this additional CPPA ensures the supply of green electricity from an agrivoltaic project developed by Qair in the Hauts-de-France region. With construction starting in 2025 and operation scheduled for 2026, the plant will avoid the equivalent of around 630 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, and inject 68 GWh of green electricity per year into the French power grid.

“We’re delighted to be taking part in the decarbonization of Lesaffre, a company that shares our commitment to local community support. Through agrivoltaics, Qair aims to support farmers, protect their land, and secure their production. This is why we engage in co-financing with farmers and local partners to provide comprehensive support to encourage ecological and solidarity transition through renewable energies” says Louis Blanchard, President of Qair.

A new CPPA that confirms the decarbonization trajectory of Lesaffre sites

After the first CPPA signed in 2023 to supply green energy to the Group’s largest yeast plant in Marcq-en-Baroeul, Lesaffre is taking another step towards decarbonizing its production sites in France by signing this second CPPA, which will supply green energy to the Biospringer by Lesaffre site in Maisons Alfort, near Paris.

Among the projects underway are the installation of a biomass 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 in November 2022 of a 15-year partnership with another player in the energy sector for the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a waste heat recovery unit at the Lesaffre site in Marcq-en-Barœul. As part of this drive to decarbonize its production sites, the group is currently considering a number of investments in renewable energies.

“The signing of this second CPPA is the translation of our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint. At Lesaffre, we are committed to sustainable growth and respect for the environment through our products and production processes. By signing up to Qair for 18 years, we are taking another step towards decarbonizing our production sites and continuing to work together to better feed and protect the world of tomorrow”, adds Brice-Audren Riché, Lesaffre’s CEO.

Photo: Lesaffre