JSE-listed food and fast-moving consumer goods company Tiger Brands says solar power is operational at seven of its manufacturing sites across South Africa, which is helping to reduce the company's reliance on non-renewable energy sources and its carbon footprint.

The seven sites, located across the Free State, Gauteng, North West and KwaZulu-Natal, are currently generating clean energy that contributes directly to powering manufacturing activities.

“We are avoiding a blanket approach in favour of site-specific assessments. Our goal is to deploy tailored innovations and initiatives that address the unique needs of each location while systematically eliminating energy inefficiencies,” says Tiger Brands chief manufacturing officer Praveen Balgobind.

The rollout of the solar systems supports the company’s commitment to source 31% of its electrical energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.

The company also aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30% and improve energy efficiency across its operations by the same margin during this period.

“Our investment in renewable energy is about building a more resilient and sustainable manufacturing footprint while supporting South Africa's transition to a lower-carbon economy,” he says.

“Solar energy is already helping several of our manufacturing facilities reduce their dependence on conventional electricity sources while improving operational efficiency. This is one component of our broader renewable-energy strategy that will continue to evolve over the coming years,” he adds.

The most recent installation was at Tiger Brands’ Culinary manufacturing site in Boksburg, Gauteng, after it entered into a solar power purchase agreement with energy producer Solar Africa for a 1.9 MWh/y solar installation.

The installation started contributing clean energy at the site in May.

Tiger Brands plans to expand renewable-energy generation across additional manufacturing sites as part of its long-term decarbonisation roadmap.

By 2030, it intends to have renewable-energy solutions, including on-site solar generation, installed across a significant portion of its manufacturing network.

The company is also implementing a range of energy efficiency initiatives throughout its operations.

These include detailed site assessments to identify energy-saving opportunities, improved measurement and metering systems, and targeted interventions designed to reduce overall energy consumption.

Further, Tiger Brands continues to pursue other renewable-energy opportunities, in addition to on-site solar generation.

Earlier this year, the company signed an electricity wheeling agreement with renewable-energy supplier Apollo Africa. This will enable renewable electricity generated offsite to be wheeled through the national grid to Tiger Brands’ manufacturing facilities in Gauteng from 2028.

Through the agreement, sites supplied through the Ekurhuleni municipality are expected to receive about 60% of their electricity requirements from renewable-energy sources by 2028.

On-site renewable-energy generation, electricity wheeling arrangements and ongoing efficiency improvements form part of Tiger Brands' broader strategy to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, strengthen energy security and enhance the sustainability of its operations, Balgobind says.

Environmental stewardship targets Tiger Brands aims to achieve by 2030 include reducing water and energy intensity and carbon emissions by 30%, and to source 31% of its electrical energy from renewable sources.

It also aims to achieve zero waste to landfill at all sites, reduce production food waste by 50%, ensure 80% of plastic packaging is recyclable or compostable and achieve 25% recycled content in polyethylene terephthalate packaging.