AB InBev will convert half of its plants in China into solar-powered factories by 2020, to increase the share of
non-fossil energy in the country, Jean Jereissati, President for the group’s operations in the North Asia-Pacific region, said. AB InBev also plans to secure 100% of purchased electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The group currently operates 40 breweries in China. AB InBev has invested more than USD3 billion in China since 1995 and has 25,000 employees in the country.

The Belgium-headquartered brewer announced the largest renewable energy program throughout China’s beer industry at its smart low-carbon brewery in Putian, Fujian province, earlier this month, after investing CNY105 million in the plant. When in operation, the brewery is set to become Putian’s largest distributed photovoltaic power station with a total installed capacity of more than 15 megawatts. All 150,000 square meters of the brewery’s surfaces are covered with solar panels, equal to 21 standard football pitches.

After its scheduled grid connection at the end of this month, the program is expected to generate 15 million kilowatt/hours of electricity annually starting in 2019, supplying 18% of the Putian brewery’s power needs. It will then be able to power production of 360 million bottles of beer, or save 4,800 metric tons of standard coal. “Cutting back on fossil fuels is positive for both environment and business,” added Jereissati. The company is seeking long-term sustainable growth in areas including smart agriculture, water stewardship, circular packaging and climate action.

In May, monthly sales volume increased nearly 100% year-on-year. Single-day sales of beer reached 1.3 million bottles on Tmall, Alibaba’s Group’s online marketplace, on May 17.